THE  SOUL  OF 

THE  PEOPLE 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 


M*-**- 
*..:r~ 


d&i 


THE 
SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

A  DRAMA 


BY 


Translated  from  the  Italian  by 
V.  Sydney  Rothschild 


flew 

STURGIS  &  WALTON 
COMPANY 

1917 


COPYRIGHT,  1817 
BY  STURGIS  &  WALTON  COMPANY 


Set  up  and  electrotyped.     Published,  March,  1917. 


Under  title  "  1746  "  this  drama  was  under  rehearsal  in 
Genoa  early  in  1915  when  Italy  was  neutral  in  the  Great 
War. 

The  Italian  Government,  fearing  that  the  production  at 
this  time  would  stir  up  hostilities  with  their  hereditary 
enemy,  the  Austrian,  banned  the  play  from  the  Italian 
stage. 

The  author  is  related  to  a  number  of  the  noted  families 
portrayed  herein  and  has  had  recourse  to  records  insuring 
the  historical  accuracy  of  the  text. 


CHARACTERS 


BIANCA  MARSANO, 
MARIA  BOTTA-ADORNO, 


Daughter  of  the  patriot  Botta- 
Adorno. 

Niece   of  the   traitor  Botta- 
Adorno. 


•Senators 


GIACOMO  LOMELLINI,  patriot,  son  of  Senator  Agostino 
Lomellini. 

MARSHAL  BOTTA-ADORNO,  a  born  Genoese,  in  the  service 
of  the  enemy. 

DOGE  BRIGNOLE  SALE. 

D'ORIA 

GRIMALDI 

LOMELLINI 

GAVOTTI 

DEFORNARI 

CENTURIONE 

IMPERIALI 

PALLAVICINI 

FIESCHI 

CATTANEO 

BALILLA 

ALESSANDRO  ROLLA 
ANSELMO  GIACOBINI 
ROCA  ,  .  . 

MASSA  \-patnots 

PASTORE 

BEPPE 

BACICCIA 


CHARACTERS 
GIGIO,  a  barber. 

AN  ADJUTANT-IN-CHIEF  TO  THE  MARSHAL. 

Two  AUSTRIAN  OFFICERS. 
USHER. 

Other   Senators,   Austrian   Soldiers,   Servants.     Genoese 
men,  women,  and  boys  of  the  people. 

Time:     December,  1746,  War  of  the  Pragmatic  Succes- 
sion. 
Place:    Genoa,  in  the  hands  of  Austria. 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 


FIRST  ACT 

A  tavern  in  Sottoripa.  Small  marble  tables; 
stools,  etc.,  etc.  To  left  stage  the  counter,  behind 
which  the  old  tavern-keeper  Baciccia  is  sleeping, 
his  head  resting  on  his  elbows.  Behind  the  coun- 
ter towards  corner  of  room  a  small  door  leads  to 
the  back-shop.  To  right  stage  a  door,  which  is 
the  entrance-door  of  the  tavern. 

On  raising  of  curtain  the  door  is  heard  to 
squeak,  but  only  sufficiently  to  awaken  Baciccia. 
He  is  a  man  of  over  sixty,  but  still  robust  and  ac- 
tive. 

BACICCIA 

[To  boy,  who  enters.]  Hallo,  cunning  one, 
you  are  always  one  of  the  first ! 

[Balilla,  a  good  looking  precocious  boy  of  four- 
teen years,  full  of  energy  and  life,  seats  himself 
with  importance  at  the  table.] 

BALILLA 

Now  come  along,  good  Baciccia,  bring  me 
something  to  drink.  .  .  . 

3 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

BACICCIA 

[Pouring  out  some  stuff  out  of  his  jars  into  a 
tumbler  brings  it  to  him.~\  Pooh!  what  impor- 
tance ! !  1  And  yer've  not  all  yer  teeth ! 

BALILLA 

[Showing  his  teeth.']  But  they  know  how  to 
bite! 

BACICCIA 
[In  a  low  voice.]     Any  news? 

BALILLA 

[Also  half  loud.]     Eh!     Things  go. 
[Enters  Rolla;  Roca  follows  him  in  slowly."] 

ROLLA 

[To  Roca]  Come  in  —  come  in — -we  arc 
among  friends  here.  Good  evening,  Baciccia ! 

BACICCIA 

Good  evening,  Signer  Alessandro.  [With  a 
move  of  his  chin  to  Roca  as  asking  who  he  is] 

ROLLA 

Have  no  fear,  he  is  a  friend,  a  brave  man,  he, 
the  same  as  we,  is  tired  to  death  of  the  foreign 
rascals  usurping  our  liberties  in  Genoa  to-day. 

ROCA 
Not  trusting  me?  .  .  .  I  have  a  large  shop  in 

4 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

Campetto.  Well,  to  it  these  Austrians  come  and 
fill  their  pockets  all  of  them  .  .  .  but  of  paying 
none  of  them  dream  —  the  bullies!  .  .  .  the 
swine ! 

BALILLA 
We  shall  soon  make  an  end  of  that. 

ROCA 
[Looking  at  him  stupefied.]     But  .  .  . 

BACICCIA 

Don't  worry.  We  all  vouch  for  Balilla.  .  .  . 
He  is  the  son  of  good  people  and  is  apprentice  to 
a  dyer,  a  pearl  of  a  man.  He  is  a  fiery  youth  and 
full  of  energy  and  with  all  that,  exceedingly  pru- 
dent in  spite  of  his  only  being  fourteen. 

ROCA 

[Seating  himself  at  a  table.]  The  main  thing 
is  to  be  sure  of  your  people. 

ROLLA 

[Taking  a  seat  at  the  table  at  which  Roca  sits 
which  is  near  to  Balilla  and  patting  in  a  friendly 
manner  Balilla' s  head.~\  He'll  do !  He's  a  good 
lad.  [To  Baciccia]  A  half  fiasco  of  that  good 
wine  here  and  two  glasses.  .  .  .  [Continuing  his 
speech]  Yes,  already  Balilla  has  rendered  us  in- 
valuable services  .  .  .  [to  Baciccia  approaching 

5 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

with  the  wine  and  the  glasses]  —  and  the  oth- 
ers? 

BACICCIA 

[Turning  his  eyes  to  a  large  clock  which  stands 
near  the  counter.]  It  is  not  quite  nine.  .  .  .  Per- 
haps my  old  clock  is  a  little  fast. 

ROCA 
Are  we  many? 

ROLLA 

It  is  risky  to  put  one's  trust  in  too  many.  Al- 
ways one  of  us  calls  in  the  other  .  .  .  precisely 
like  I  —  you  ...  we  have  the  noble  Giacomo 
Lomellini. 

BACICCIA 
The  Senator's  son. 

ROLLA 

And  Giacobini,  a  public  accountant;  he  knows 
many  people  and  strikes  the  humour  of  all. 

ROCA 
Yes.     The  business  men's  and  the  traders'. 

ROLLA 

Yes;  even  so;  am  I  too  not  a  broker,  I?  But 
we  have  also  artists  two  of  them;  and  they  carry 
with  bad  grace  the  slavery  which  has  been  thrust 
on  us  by  these  catch-polls  of  Austrians.  Ah,  if 

6 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

only  these  Austrians  all  could  be  sent  to  the 
devil. 

RALILLA 
They  will  get  there,  never  fear. 

BACICCIA 

I  have  little  doubt  we  shall  presently  succeed  in 
throwing  off  the  hated  yoke. 

BALILLA 

None  of  us  here  can  surely  have  any  doubt  on 
that  score,  else  why  are  we  here  ? 

ROLLA 

[Sighing.]  The  difficulties  are  so  great  .  .  . 
the  Austrians  are  so  very  numerous,  and  we  are 
but  few.  .  .  . 

BALILLA 
The  hour  will  come  when  we  are  many. 

ROLLA 

\With  a  sigh.~\  If  only  the  Senate  would  sup- 
port us  ...  the  recent  capitulation  of  Genoa  was 
really  ignominious. 

BALILLA 

[Jumping  to  his  feet.~[  It's  the  people 'in  the 
long  run  will  have  to  support  us,  will  have  to  fight 
with  all  their  might.  .  .  .  Not  many  days  ago 

7 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

the  Austrians  came  to  our  city,  I  was  in  Polcevera 
when  the  people  rose  in  arms.  .  .  . 

BACICCIA 

Yes.  And  just  then  as  if  by  miracle  to  help 
us  the  flood  of  the  Polcevera  came,  but  the  craven 
Senate  instead  of  seeing  their  advantage,  sent  at 
once  emissaries  to  negotiate  with  that  Austrian 
renegade  Marshal  Botta-Adorno. 

ROCA 

Bah;  to-day  Genoa  is  theirs,  the  mischief  is 
done ;  we  must  try  to  undo  it. 

BALILLA 

[Looking  at  the  clock.']  It  is  getting  late  .  .  . 
and  the  others? 

ROLLA 

I  don't  understand;  Bianca  is  always  so  punc- 
tual. 

ROCA 

Ah !  Is  there  also  a  woman  among  your  num- 
ber? 

BALILLA 
[Disdainfully.']     Ay,  also  a  woman. 

ROLLA 

Don't  ever  speak  that  way  of  her  again,  you 
understand  ? 

8 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

[To  Roca.]  She's  an  extraordinary  lass,  this 
one. 

ROCA 
Of  the  people? 

ROLLA 
Yes. 

BACICCIA 

And  here  we  do  not  agree.  To  the  people  I 
belong.  I  know  them  therefore  better  than  Sig- 
nor  Alessandro.  Well,  I  will  swear  this  girl  be- 
longs not  to  the  people. 

ROLLA 

Nevertheless  she  speaks  just  like  you,  Baciccia, 
in  choicest  Genoese  dialect. 

BACICCIA 
May  be;  but  she  is  not  of  us,  not  of  our  blood. 

ROCA 

Then  none  of  you  should  halt  at  such  sus- 
picions ;  she  might  be  dangerous ;  a  spy. 

BALILLA 

Oh  1  as  for  that,  no.  She  is  better  patriot  than 
all  of  us.  She  would  be  the  first  to  sell  her  life 
for  the  holy  cause  of  sending  these  brigands  of 
Austrians  to  hell!  She  hates  them  more,  much 
more  than  any  of  us,  if  that  were  possible. 

9 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

RoCA 

Have  you  not  investigated  who  she  can  possi- 
bly be,  if  she  is  not  of  the  people  ? 

ROLLA 

Why?  I  trust  her.  Besides,  if  one  must  con- 
tinually beware  of  spies  these  days  one  can  do 
nothing  at  all.  Who  is  safe  in  our  situation  in 
the  predicament  the  town  is  in?  We  are  com- 
pelled to  trust  each  other. 

BALILLA 

[Showing  his  fist.}  We  must  above  all  rely  on 
this. 

[Enters  briskly  and  gaily  Bianca  with  a  steve- 
dore from  the  docks,  Beppe,  by  name.  Bianca 
is  a  pretty  girl  of  18  years.  Is  dressed  like  one 
of  the  people,  speaks  loud  and  affects  vulgar  man- 
ners.—  Must  be  disguised  to  be  almost  unrecog- 
nisable as  Maria  of  the  second  act. — ] 

BIANCA 
Good  evening,  good  evening.  .  .  . 

THE  MEN 
[Without  getting  up.}     Good  evening. 

ROLLA 

You  are  late,  Bianca. 

10 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

BlANCA 

[Seating  herself  at  one  of  the  tables,  and  knock- 
ing roughly  on  it  with  her  knuckles,  whilst  she 
nods  to  Baciccia  to  bring  her  a  drink.~\  A  lemon- 
ade. [Changing  voice.]  I  have  already  been 
at  the  door  here  before  .  .  .  and  then  turned 
back. 

ROCA 

[Studying  her.]     And  why? 

[Bianca,  before  she  answers  looks  interroga* 
tively  at  Roca.] 

ROLLA 

[Answering  the  look  of  Bianca.~\  He  is  a 
friend  of  mine,  the  merchant  Roca,  whom  I  prom- 
ised to  bring  here.  [Smiling.]  Yes,  he  can  be 
trusted. 

BIANCA 

Good.  Well,  I  am  late,  because  it  seemed  to 
me  that  I  have  been  followed  to-night.  You  un- 
derstand .  .'  .  it  would  have  compromised  both 
you  all  and  me.  .  .  .  Having  already  approached 
the  door,  I  had  to  stroll  off  and  make  a  detour. 

BALILLA 
And  then  ? 

BIANCA 

It  seems,  as  if  it  was  a  false  alarm.     When 
II 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

we  again  approached  there  was  nobody  to  be  seen. 
Is  it  not  so,  Beppe? 

BEPPE 
We  have  seen  nobody. 

BIANCA 
And  where  are  our  other  friends  ? 

ROLLA 

Ah !     Here  come  Signor  Giacomo  and  Anselmo. 

[Enter  Giacomo  Lomellini  and  Anselmo  Gia- 
cobini] 

[All  exchange  good-evening  greetings  simply, 
without  shaking  hands  just  as  if  they  were  at 
home.] 

ROLLA 

[Introducing  Roca  to  the  arrivals]  My  friend 
Roca  of  whom  I  have  spoken  to  you  already. 
[To  Roca.~\  Signor  Giacomo  Lomellini;  Signor 
Anselmo  Giacobini,  accountant.  [To  Giacomo] 
Any  news? 

GIACOMO 

Most  important  news.  They  have  abolished 
the  decree,  the  one  the  Empress-Queen  Maria 
Theresa  signed  upon  the  insistence  of  Pope  Bene- 
detto XIV  and  his  Nuncio  Spinola  at  Vienna.  By 
that  decree  you  recall  she  absolved  Genoa  from 

12 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

paying  the  third  million  to  her  Austrians.  Now 
this  third  million  must  be  paid,  and  at  once. 

[All,  but  in  low  voice,  whilst  no  one  loses  sight 
of  the  door."] 

"That's  impossible  "— "  How  to  pay  it?"r— 
"Where  get  the  money?" — etc.  .  .  .  etc.  .  .  . 

GIACOBINI 

If  you  ask  me,  I  say  at  once  without  hesitation, 
that  it  is  impossible;  I  am  a  public  accountant;  I 
suppose  I  know  how  to  keep  books;  and  I  say,  it 
is  impossible  to  pay  the  sum. 

BEPPE 

Pay?  And  with  what  money,  I  should  like  to 
know,  while  all  commerce  is  at  a  stand-still?  I, 
who  in  times  past  unloaded  in  the  port  bale  after 
bale  of  merchandise,  now  I  unload  none  .  .  .  the 
warehouses  are  empty  ...  in  the  harbour  there 
is  nothing. 

ROLLA 

That's  easily  understood.  England  has 
blocked  the  Port  and  holds  all  the  merchant  ves- 
sels in  her  grip. 

BEPPE 

[In  wrath.~\  And  they  steal  all  the  cargoes. 
[Laughing  in  wrath.~\  So  there  remains  noth- 
ing to  be  discharged  in  the  port.  I  tell  you,  it  is 

13 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

a  misery,  one  dies  of  hunger  ...  it  cannot  last 
so ;  better  die ! 

GIACOMO 

The  Empress  has  committed  an  outrage.  She 
promised  to  waive  that  third  million ;  she  has  bro- 
ken her  word.  .  .  . 

ROLLA 

Bah!  For  a  German  sovereign  the  signed 
agreement  is  merely  a  scrap  of  paper!  .  .  . 

[Enter  Pastore  and  Massa.  Exchanging 
greetings  with  the  others.'] 

ROLLA 

[Pointing  out  again  Roca  to  the  new  arrivals.] 
My  friend  Roca.  [Pointing  at  Pastore.]  Pas- 
tore,  the  noted  painter.  [Pointing  at  Massa.] 
Massa,  the  sculptor. 


GIACOMO 

What,  the  story  of  the  third  million?  We 
were  just  speaking  about  it.  The  Senators  are  in 
despair  and  furious.  To-morrow  my  father  and 
the  Senator  Cattaneo  shall  ask  the  Marshal  the 
reason  for  this  unexpected  and  villainous  act. 

14 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

MASSA 

It  will  be  of  no  use ;  better  as  it  is.  The  more 
of  this  sort  of  treachery  the  quicker  the  people 
will  move. 

BIANCA 

Yes,  every  one  will  be  stirred  up,  and  it  is  neces- 
sary, that  all  the  people  shall  take  part. 

BALILLA 

We  must  revolt  against  them;  all  the  people  in 
mass  must  revolt! 

PASTORE 

Better  to  die  than  be  slaves;  for  Country  the 
greatest  sacrifices  are  light  I 

ROLLA 
Bravo  poeta! 

PASTORE 

There  would  be  no  poetry,  if  there  was  no  love 
of  Country! 

MASSA 

And  when  we  have  chased  them  out,  we  shall 
build  a  monument  to  Liberty. 

BACICCIA 

That's  where  our  sculptor  comes  in!  .  .  . 
[All  laugh.} 

15 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

GlACOMO 

For  me  it  can't  come  too  soon ;  we  must  make 
haste. 

ROLLA 

Right,  boys  ...  but  first  we  must  make  our 
plans  known,  intensify  our  propaganda  ...  so 
far  we  are  few. 

BEPPE 

Few?  Why,  all  the  coolies  in  the  harbour 
come  with  me. 

GIACOBINI 

All  my  friends  hold  to  us. 

PASTORE 
And  mine  too. 

MASSA 
And  mine. 

BALILLA 
And  how  about  mine ! 

ROLLA 

All  that  is  right  enough,  but  we  must  enlist 
larger  forces.  We  must  make  a  more  extensive 
campaign,  and  organise.  And  here  the  question 
arises,  how  can  we  risk  it,  if  we  have  not  the  sup- 
port of  our  Senate?  Without  that  support  no 
revolt  will  bring  any  lasting  change.  Behind  the 
people  must  be  the  Senate  .  .  .  otherwise  there 

16 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

will  be  a  massacre  without  gain  to  us.  The 
Austrian  soldiers  are  well  armed  and  will  be  much 
stronger  than  we  are.  .  .  .  We  must  not  forget 
that  these  bullies  have  confiscated  all  our  arms. . . . 

BIANCA 
[/«  low  voice.]     We  have  some  yet.  .  .  . 

BACICCIA 

But  so  few  .  .  .  and  Signor  Alessandro  is 
right,  without  the  support  of  the  Senate  there  will 
be  a  massacre  without  bringing  us  on  any  further. 

ROCA 

It  would  be  criminal  to  expose  the  people  to  use- 
less bloodshed. 

GIACOBINI 

Everything  cstn  be  accomplished,  everything 
gained  so  long  as  we  place  our  faith  in  success. 

BALILLA 
And  then? 

GIACOMO 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  Senate  is  indirectly  with 
us  to-day.  Do  you  believe  for  a  moment  that  if 
our  Government  were  not  willing  to  support  the 
agitation  against  the  Austrians,  which  is  now  so 
openly  brewing,  it  would  not  have  kept  this  last 
knowledge  from  the  people  of  the  enormous  new 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

war  levy  of  the  Austrians  ?  No,  no,  the  Govern- 
ment feels  as  we  do,  that  the  powder-pot  is  over- 
ful,  and  requires  but  a  spark  to  ignite  it. 

GIACOBINI 

If  it  is  so,  there  is  only  one  thing  to  be  done. 
You,  as  son  of  the  Senator,  are  in  a  position  to  get 
from  the  Senate  a  more  explicit  declaration. 

GIACOMO 

I  am  always  entirely  at  your  disposal ;  but  how 
can  one  hope  that  the  Senators,  who  must  forcibly 
be  prudent,  could  risk  giving  so  openly  their  ad- 
herence to  our  cause  ?  No,  we  must  lure  it  from 
them  by  some  surprise.  But  for  this  business,  I 
being  too  well  known,  that  alone  would  make  it 
almost  impossible  for  me  to  even  approach  them. 

BIANCA 

Well,  then,  /  will  volunteer  to  get  the  agree- 
ment of  the  Senate. 

[Omnes  with  different  expressions.] 
"You?"     "How?"     "How   could  you   do 
it?" 

BIANCA 

[Calmly.]  Yes,  I  ...  I  shall  make  the  at- 
tempt. ...  I  shall  make  my  plans  carefully  .  .  . 
and  I  shall  hope  to  succeed.  .  .  . 

18 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

BACICCIA 

[Gazing  at  her.]  But  how  shall  it  be  possible 
for  you,  girl  of  the  people,  to  get  near  such  high 
personages?  .  .  . 

BlANCA 

Depend  upon  our  feminine  subtlety. 

GIACOBINI 

Too  true  that  quality  cannot  be  overestimated ; 
nevertheless  Baciccia  is  right;  success  of  the  enter- 
prise would  too  much  depend  on  Bianca  and  it 
would  be  miraculous  if  she  could  even  get  a  hear- 
ing. 

BIANCA 
Have  faith  in  me. 

BEPPE 

Women  get  everything  they  want;  my  wife,  if 
she  wants  something,  gets  it  always. 

BALILLA 

Well,  let  the  women  set  at  driving  the  Austrians 
out  of  the  country  then  I 

BACICCIA 

[Whilst  they  laugh,  Baciccia,  with  a  twinkling 
of  his  eyes  calls  Giacomo  to  his  counter.  Ar- 
riving there  he  addresses  him  aloud. ~\  Signer 
Giacomo,  one  word;  I  owe  you  still  some  money 

19 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

from  last  night.  You  have  given  me  too  much. 
.  .  .  [He  searches  in  a  wooden  box,  and  nodding 
to  Giacomo  with  the  money  in  his  hand,  he  speaks 
in  a  low  voice.  It  is  evident  that  he  is  speaking 
of  Bianca.  The  conversation  of  the  others  does 
not  stop.'] 

PASTORE 

At  all  costs,  Bianca,  I  don't  know;  whether  we 
should  accept  your  generous  offer.  .  .  .  Expose 
you,  a  girl  .  .  . 

BIANCA 

I  am  not  affrighted  at  anything.  .  .  . 

ROLLA 
We  cannot  but  thank  you. 

BIANCA 

[Laughing.']  You  must  thank  me  when  I  have 
brought  the  agreement  of  the  Senate. 

BEPPE 

It  therefore  remains  understood  that  way. 
[Getting  up.~\  Baciccia,  the  bill.  .  .  . 

[Baciccia,  whom  the  others  also  call,  comes  for- 
ward followed  by  Giacomo.'] 

BEPPE 

[After  having  paid.]     And  now  I  go;  it's  late. 
20 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

ROCA 
I  shall  be  going  too. 

ROLLA 

And  yet  there  remain  many  things  to  be  decided. 
When  do  we  meet  again? 

PASTORE 

[To  Bianca.~\  When  do  you  think  you  will 
have  fulfilled  your  mission? 

BIANCA 

I  must  have  two  or  three  days'  time ;  believe  me, 
I  am  anxious  also  to  have  it  over  with. 

GIACOBINI 

We  must  not  let  the  fever  that  is  in  the  air  die 
away. 

ROLLA 

The  Austrians  are  suspiciously  watching  every 
one  now.  The  other  day  two  of  them  followed  in 
the  streets  two  of  our  girls,  two  sisters;  the  girls 
were  near  their  own  house  and  so  slipped  in;  but 
these  loafers  broke  down  the  door  and  rushed 
after  them.  The  father  was  not  there;  the 
mother,  a  weak  old  woman,  could  not  defend 
them ;  but  the  girls,  two  veritable  Genoese,  did  not 
let  the  foreign  devils  intimidate  them,  and  ran  to 
the  window  crying  for  help  with  all  their  might. 

21 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

Some  of  our  men  ran  up  and  cudgelled  the  ras- 
cals. 

BACICCIA 

Really,  it  pleases  them  to  take  everything  from 
us,  our  wives,  our  money.  .  .  . 

BEPPE 

And  our  merchandise. 
[Omnes  in  chorus.] 
Enough!     Enough!  ! 

ROLLA 

Let  us  then  decide :  As  soon  as  Bianca  has  ful- 
filled her  mission  she  will  advise  Baciccia,  and  he 
in  turn  will  advise  us  in  our  abodes.  Is  that  un- 
derstood ? 

GIACOMO 
Very  well.     So  be  it! 

BACICCIA 
And  now  —  I  close. 

BALILLA 

What  a  hurry.  .  .  .  Wait  at  least  until  we  see 
whether  we  can  go  out  freely.  [He  opens  door  a 
little  and  looks  out.']  Nobody. 

ROLLA 

Well;  let  us  profit  of  the  moment;  and  as  soon 
as  we  are  out  we^  disperse. 

22 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

[Going  to  the  door  all  wish  each  other  good- 
bye. Giacomo  and  Bianca  hold  back.] 

GIACOMO 

[7*0  Bianca  with  some  hesitation.]  I  should 
like  to  speak  a  word  with  you. 

BIANCA 
With  me  ?     But  every  one  is  going. 

GIACOMO 

Let  the  others  go !  It  is  better,  we  dribble  out 
little  by  little. 

BIANCA 

As  you  like. 

[Baciccia  comes  back,  pretending  he  doesn't  see 
Bianca  and  Giacomo,  puts  some  glasses  and  bot- 
tles on  the  counter,  and  then  disappears  into  the 
back-shop.] 

BIANCA 

\Who  has  been  waiting  for  Giacomo  to  speak.] 
Well? 

GIACOMO 

[Always  with  hesitation.]  I  wanted  to  tell 
you  .  .  .  you  have  undertaken  a  very  difficult 
task.  .  .  .  It's  not  easy  to  obtain  the  agreement 
of  the  Senate,  to  get  it  for  us. 

23 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

BlANCA 
That  I  know. 

GIACOMO 
Ah! 

BlANCA 

[A  little  ironically .~\  You  are  surprised,  that  I 
realise  the  importance  of  the  mission  that  has 
been  entrusted  to  me.  .  .  . 

GIACOMO 

That  you  have  assumed,  you  mean.  .  .  .  That 
is  very  different.  .  .  . 

BlANCA 

[Putting  her  hands  on  her  hips.~\  And  is  one 
allowed  to  ask,  wherein  lies  the  difference  ? 

GIACOMO 

[Always  as  above.']  But  in  this  .  .  .  where 
none  thought,  that  you  .  .  .  why  you  risk  your 
life  .  .  .  and  your  education  .  .  .  can  you  have 
.  .  .  the  experience  .  .  .  can  you  succeed  .  .  . 
fulfil  your  mission  .  .  .  incumbrances  every- 
where .  .  .  the  thing  is  not  so  easy.  .  .  . 

BlANCA 

I  understand ;  you  want  to  convey  to  me,  that  a 
woman  of  the  lower  classes  is  not  far  enough 
advanced  to  achieve  it. 

24 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 
GlACOMO 

Exactly. 

BIANCA 

[Always  a  little  ironically.']  But  who  tells  you, 
that  I  perform  my  mission  directly? 

GIACOMO 

[Alarmed.]  Ah!  You  want  to  personify 
some  one  else. 

BIANCA 

I  have  charged  myself  with  a  commission,  and 
it  is  for  me  to  choose  the  means.  Don't  you  think 
so? 

GIACOMO 
Certainly. 

BIANCA 
You  say  that  without  conviction. 

GIACOMO 

[After  a  little  hesitation;  but  decidedly  and 
gazing  Bianca  right  in  the  face.~\  Yours  is  a 
risky  way. 

BIANCA 

[Always  as  above.]  And  why?  I  can  pos- 
sibly have  a  girl  friend,  who  from  her  side  is  the 
friend  of  a  high  personality,  as  Baciccia  says. 
You  know  these  things  happen;  neither  all  men, 

25 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

nor  all  women  are  saints  when  it  comes  to  love 
affairs,  by  its  influence  one  can  get  many  things. 

GIACOMO 

[Looking  more  seriously.]  But  that's  just  it, 
then  too  many  persons  become  involved,  in  cases 
of  such  delicacy,  of  such  importance,  this  method 
is  always  dangerous.  We  must  seriously  think  it 
over. 

BIANCA 

Oh !  I  only  ventured  this  scheme  to  say  some- 
thing; I  may  choose  another  way.  .  .  .  [Long  si~ 
lence.]  Why  don't  you  say  something? 

GIACOMO 

Because  it  seems  to  me  that  you  withhold  some- 
thing from  me. 

BIANCA 

[Laughing.'}     Exactly. 

GIACOMO 
Ah! 

BIANCA 
Yes.  .  .  .  Just  to  punish  you.  .  .  . 

GIACOMO 
To  punish  me? 

26 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

BlANCA 

Do  you  think  that  I  did  not  notice  your  ma- 
noeuvres with  Baciccia? 

GlACOMO 
Allow  me  ... 

BlANCA 

I  know  what  you  wish  to  say  .  .  .  but  first  we 
must  set  matters  right.  I  should  have  said, 
Baciccia's  manoeuvres  with  you. 

GIACOMO 
Well? 

BlANCA 

Do  you  believe  that  I  have  not  remarked  for 
some  time  that  Baciccia  watches  me?  He  mis- 
trusts me;  probably  he  does  me  the  honour  to 
take  me  for  a  spy. 

GIACOMO 
Oh! 

BlANCA 

I  know  in  you  such  a  doubt  never  could  have 
originated,  but  because  of  Baciccia's  doubts,  to- 
night you  also  begin  to  doubt. 

GIACOMO 

Let  us  speak  out  frankly.  Baciccia  has  con- 
vinced me  that  you  take  hold  of  a  very  difficult 
mission  in  a  rather  free  and  easy  way. 

27 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

BlANCA 

Supposing  on  the  contrary.  I  could  attempt  to 
gravely  show  you  that  I  realised  very  well  the  im- 
portance of  the  task.  In  that  case  the  burden  of 
proof  for  me  would  be  still  more  difficult;  for  to 
be  able  to  undertake  to  carry  out  my  project 
among  the  high  people,  I  might  then  conceivably 
have  to  prove  to  you  that  these  humble  clothes  I 
now  wear  are  really  not  even  my  own.  And  then 
if  I  were  not  one  of  the  common  people,  although 
I  have  all  the  appearance  of  such,  I  say,  if  I  were 
not?  What  then? 

GIACOMO 

There  is  truth  in  what  you  say  .  .  .  but  ad- 
mit .  .  . 

BlANCA 

What?  I  have  given  you  no  reason  whatever 
to  doubt  who  I  am. 

GIACOMO 

[Passionately.]  No,  no,  that  never  entered 
my  mind ! 

BlANCA 

But  it  sufficed  that  Baciccia  whispered  you  but 
one  word  to  put  you  on  the  qui  vive. 

GIACOMO 

Blanca!    The  circumstances  in  which  we  live, 
28 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

what  we  are  fighting  for,  are  so  grave,  that  they 
fully  justify  all  precautions.  What  does  the  per- 
son count,  in  face  of  our  fervent  desire  to  save 
our  native  city?  I  have  for  myself  as  well  as 
for  my  companions  the  responsibility  of  all  that 
we  are  doing  here  to  liberate  our  beloved  Genoa. 
I  have  therefore  no  right  to  desist  from  examin- 
ing into  any  doubt  that  arises,  if  it  only  but  enters 
into  the  mind  of  any  of  my  friends.  I  would  be 
running  too  great  a  risk  if  the  facts  should  later 
prove  that  their  suspicions  were  true,  had  I  not 
taken  every  precaution.  You  understand  me? 

BIANCA 
[/»  an  ironical  voice.]     Perfectly. 

GIACOMO 

And  I  repeat  it  to  you,  in  this  case  I  myself 
never  doubted  you,  on  the  contrary,  .  .  .  [Tim- 
idly.] I  have  fostered  ...  a  great  sympathy 
for  you.  ...  I  have  never  dared  to  tell  you 
that;  .  .  .  your  conduct,  your  reserve  is  perfec- 
tion itself. 

BIANCA 

[As  above]  I  am  glad  you  understand  that  I 
am  an  honest  girl  in  spite  of  the  appearance  of  my 
rather  independent,  very  easy  life.  Naturally,  we 
girls  of  the  lower  classes  enjoy  a  much  greater 
freedom  than  the  ladies  of  your  class  .  .  .  for  in- 

29 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

stance  .  .  .  here  it  is  late  night ;  we  are  out  at  all 
hours. 

GIACOMO 

You  have  never  allowed  any  of  us  to  accompany 
you  home. 

BlANCA 

There  would  lurk  a  further  danger  in  so  expos- 
ing myself.  I  court  no  dangers,  and  would  face 
none,  were  it  not  for  our  cause  —  our  great  cause. 

GIACOMO 

O,  I  do  not  know  where  you  live  even  .  .  . 
know  nothing  of  your  home  life. 

BlANCA 

I  told  you  already;  I  live  with  my  father  .  .  . 
at  home.  My  father  is  very  good  and  in  truth 
he  feels  like  I;  the  others  of  my  family  do  not, 
and  it  is  also  for  this  reason  that  I  take  care  .  .  . 
great  care  not  to  be  seen  with  any  one. 

GIACOMO 

Under  such  circumstances  you  do  well  to  be 
cautious.  .  .  .  But  of  me  you  need  have  no  fear, 
you  need  fear  nothing.  ...  I  should  certainly 
never  dare  to  fail  of  respect  .  .  . 

BlANCA 

[Somewhat  harsh.']     How  good  of  you. 
30 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

GlACOMO 

[A  little  mortified.}  You  dislike  my  having 
said  — 

BlANCA 

[Laughingly.]  What?  That  you  have  a  lit- 
tle sympathy  for  me?  Why  have  you  told  me! 
I  was  so  glad  you  hadn't  before.  .  .  .  We  are  in 
such  different  circumstances  .  .  .  what  would  be 
the  use  ? 

GlACOMO 

I  do  not  see  what  harm  could  result  out  of 
it  ...  if  admitted  .  .  .  that  even  you  ...  as 
at  times  it  seems  to  me  ...  you  too  had  a  little 
sympathy  for  me  .  .  .  well,  what  bad  could  re- 
sult, if  between  us  ...  a  more  intimate  tie  ex- 
isted, more  friendly  .  .  .  more  than  between  our 
other  companions. 

BIANCA 
[Observing  silence."} 

GlACOMO 

You  don't  answer?     And  why? 

BIANCA 

Giacomo,  you  cause  me  pain  ...  do  not  in- 
sist .  .  .  say  no  more  ...  let  the  subject  drop. 
.  .  .  You  are  a  gentleman.  ...  I  ...  I  am  but 
a  girl  of  the  people  .  .  .  and  I  am  as  you  have 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  i. 

recognised  an  honest  girl.  .  .  .  Further  words 
between  us  can  consequently  lead  to  nothing  .  .  . 
nevertheless  misunderstanding  between  us  will  not 
improve  our  relations  which  must  remain  simple 
and  straight-forward,  so  as  not  to  prejudice  the 
task  which  we  unitedly  aim  to  achieve. 

GIACOMO 

[Grasping  her  hand.~\  You  are  right,  Biancal 
And  I  beg  your  pardon  .  .  .  for  having  spoken. 
On  the  other  subject  of  your  mission,  I  have  been 
forced  to  speak  to  you  even  at  the  risk  of  offend- 
ing you  by  an  unjust  suspicion.  ...  I  went  too 
far,  I  feel  it  now.  ...  I  beg  you  will  pardon 
me  .  .  . 

BIANCA 

Let  us  not  speak  about  it  further;  we  have  un- 
folded our  thoughts  and  that  does  no  harm. 
Moreover  you  have  calmed  your  conscience  of  a 
suspicion  which  stupid  Baciccia  had  awakened  in 
you,  and  I  have  the  assurance  henceforth  of  your 
good  and  loyal  spirit. 

GIACOMO 

\Who  cannot  decide  to  let  Bianca's  hand  go.~\ 
I  thank  you. 

BIANCA 

[Withdrawing  her  hand  gently.]  And  now  let 
us  go  I  It  is  late. 

32 


ACT  i.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

GlACOMO 

Indeed,  it  is  late;  are  you  sure  you  do  not  wish 
me  to  accompany  you  home  ?  Now  that  we  have 
explained  ourselves? 

BlANCA 

[Lively.]  No,  no,  I  told  you  I  must  be  very 
cautious.  You  had  better  inform  Baciccia  that  we 
are  going.  Good  night ! 

GlACOMO 

[Goes  with  her  to  the  door.]  Good  night! 
[Like  a  child,  after  a  short  hesitation.]  Bianca? 

BlANCA 

{Who  has  reached  the  threshold  of  the  doort 
turns  round.]  Well? 

GlACOMO 

Are  you  sure  you  are  not  angry? 

BIANCA 

[Laughing.]  But  no,  but  no,  good  night!  .  .  . 
[Exit.] 

GlACOMO 

[Thoughtfully  returns  to  front  of  stage;  then 
suddenly  he  calls  loudly:]  Baciccia  1 

CURTAIN 

33 


SECOND  ACT 

Sumptuous  room  in  a  Palace  at  Sampierdarena 
(in  the  west  end  of  modern  Genoa).  Genoese 
velvet  on  walls,  ornate  chandeliers,  large  paintings 
on  ceiling  and  over  the  marble  m ant eled  fireplaces. 

At  rising  of  curtain,  room  is  empty.  Shortly 
after  in  back  of  room  portieres  are  parted  and 
enter  Senator  Francesco  Cattaneo,  Senator  Agos- 
tino  Lomellini  and  the  latter' s  son  Giacomo. 

ORDERLY-OFFICER 

\Who  leads  them  into  room.~\  If  you  will  be 
so  kind  as  to  wait,  his  Excellency  the  Marshal  will 
join  you  presently.  [Exit  with  a  bow.] 

CATTANEO 
Will  you  or  shall  I  speak? 

LOMELLINI 
You  speak! 

CATTANEO 
It  is  a  hard  mission. 

LOMELLINI 

Circumstances  compel  us  to  be  here.     How  can 
34 


ACT  ii.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

we,  how  shall  we  ever  be  able  to  pay  that  third 
million  ? 

CATTANEO 

We  must  not  forget  to  insist  that  the  Empress- 
Queen  Maria  Theresa  absolutely  promised  us  if 
not  altogether  to  dismiss  at  least  to  extend  this 
payment. 

GlACOMO 

[With  sarcasm.]  The  Empress  promised  at 
Vienna  to  retract  her  words  at  Genoa. 

LOMELLINI 
Ladies'  sport  .  .  . 

CATTANEO 

[With  fire.']  Oh!  no,  Austrian  women  and 
men  as  well  take  back  their  word.  .  .  . 

GIACOMO 

[With  a  sigh.]  And  who  has  to  bear  the 
brunt  —  our  poor  Genoese.  Not  one  moment's 
peace  has  been  theirs  since  these  Austrians  broke 
into  the  city.  The  people  certainly  are  not  re- 
sponsible for  this  accursed  hard  lot  imposed  on 
them.  They  were  ready  to  stake  their  utmost  to 
defend  their  own.  All  is  your  fault,  you,  oh  il- 
lustrious senators,  you  alone  are  to  blame,  that 
the  city  has  been  taken  from  us. 

35 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  n. 
LOMELLINI 

You  speak,  my  son,  like  an  illiterate  and  ig- 
norant boy.  Defend,  hold  the  city !  Why,  it  was 
an  utter  impossibility,  we  were  unprepared,  we  had 
no  soldiers  nor  money. 

GIACOMO 

[Insisting.]  Nevertheless  the  people  at  least 
would  have  attempted  resistance.  And  to  our  aid 
at  the  very  time  as  you  know  came  the  inundation 
of  the  Polcevera  in  whose  dry  bed  the  Austrians 
were  encamped.  It  was  you  who  lacked  back- 
bone and  advised  surrendering  at  once. 

CATTANEO 

We  ?  We  ?  You  are  mistaken !  We  did  not 
so  hastily  give  in,  that  is  proven  by  the  representa- 
tions exchanged  between  the  Senator,  your  father, 
Senator  Grimaldi  and  the  enemy's  envoy  Brown. 

LOMELLINI 

Ah  1  From  that  interview  how  much  bitterness 
have  I  carried  away!  Brown  sought  but  subter- 
fuges to  compel  us  into  surrendering  Genoa. 
And  when  I  observed  that  the  Republic  of  Genoa 
was  not  even  at  war  with  Austria,  he  gave  for 
answer  nothing  less  than  the  Genoese  had  always 
been  allies  of  the  enemies  of  the  Empress !  Just 
as  if  that  constituted  a  declaration  of  war  I 

36 


ACT  ii.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 
GlACOMO 

It  is  the  habit  of  the  Austrians  to  invert  the 
truth  to  their  advantage. 

LOMELLINI 

And  yet  how  could  we  stop  the  Austrians  from 
entering  the  city?  We  had  no  soldiers  ...  no 
money  .  .  . 

GlACOMO 

You  keep  repeating,  father,  always  that  same 
thing :  money,  money.  In  the  end  you  had  to  find 
money  to  satisfy  the  voracity  of  the  Marshal! 
Two  millions  of  it  you  have  already  disgorged. 

CATTANEO 

True,  but  only  by  looting  our  Bank  of  San 
Giorgio. 

GlACOMO 

It  was  rather  a  bad  case  that !  Robbing  a  bank 
where  not  only  we  Genoese  had  deposited  our 
money,  but  foreigners  their  money  too.  A  great 
part  of  that  money  did  not  even  belong  to  Geno- 
ese I  And  the  Senate  had  no  right  to  make  such 
use  of  it.  That  money  was  the  fruit  of  our  com- 
mercial relations  grown  out  of  the  trust,  the  credit 
we  had  been  able  to  cultivate  in  other  countries, 
so  that  that  robbing  of  the  Bank  of  San  Giorgio 
signified  the  collapse  of  all  our  moral  work  of  the 

37 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  H. 

past  and  our  reputation  of  honour,  not  figuring  the 
material  money  loss  of  centuries  1  The  crime  of 
the  ages. 

LOMELLINI 

But  what  was  there  to  be  done?  Necessity 
knows  no  law. 

GIACOMO 

The  people  did  not  take  it  that  way.  The  day 
they  carried  away  from  San  Giorgio,  this  most 
renowned  bank  of  the  world,  those  thirteen  big 
cartloads  of  sacks,  filled  with  "  Genovine  "  our 
people  crowded  in  the  streets,  pensive  and 
ferocious  —  they  appreciated  the  meaning  of  the 
crime.  One  seemed  to  be  assisting  at  a  funeral, 
but  the  cortege  of  -that  mass  of  gold  presaged  a 
forerunner  of  human  toll  to  come. 

CATTANEO 

True,  all  Sottoripa  was  that  day  black  with 
people  menacing  and  grim  as  you  say,  and  had 
those  carts  not  been  well  guarded,  a  terrible  riot 
would  have  occurred  there  and  then,  and  to  sup- 
press it  we  would  have  had  to  deplore  many,  many 
dead  on  our  side. 

GIACOMO 

Why  do  you  say  deplore  ?  One  does  not 
count  one's  dead,  if  the  cause  be  sacred.  These 
seeming  dead  are  as  needful  as  the  Spring  that 

38 


ACT  n.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

starts  the  green  sprouting  in  the  meadows.  Flow- 
ering life  comes  not  into  being  again  be  there  not 
those  ready  to  bear  the  labours  of  preparing  the 
fields,  of  scattering  the  seed.  No!  Call  those 
not  dead  who  fall  stricken  in  defending  their  coun- 
try, in  liberating  it  to  renewed  life  and  activities. 
They  form  a  living  chain,  eternal,  they  and  the 
phalanx  of  martyrs  who  precede  them,  who  follow 
them.  Ever,  forever  on  they  live  in  what  they 
have  recreated. 

[The  scene  is  interrupted  by  the  parting  of  the 
heavy  velvet  portieres.  Maria  enters  in  shadow. 
She  perceives  Giacomo  and  startles;  for  a  moment 
she  is  undecided,  as  if  to  retire;  but  Giacomo's 
look  falls  on  her.  At  first  dim  sight  of  her  the 
transformation  of  the  girl  of  the  lower  classes 
into  the  lady  of  the  best  society  and  dressed  as 
such  so  confuses  Giacomo  that  he  fails  to  recog- 
nise in  her  Bianca;  but  all  at  once,  as  a  beam  of 
light  betrays  her,  he  utters  a  cry  of  surprise  and 
delight,  unable  for  the  moment  to  master  his  feel- 
ings. By  his  side  Maria  by  gesture  commands 
him  to  silence.] 

MARIA 

[Advancing  resolutely  to  the  group  which  the 
three  gentlemen  form,  they  bow  to  her.~\  The 
gentlemen  are  awaiting  the  Marshal? 

39 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  n. 

CATTANEO 

Exactly  so  ...  and  with  whom  have  we  the 
honour  to  speak? 

MARIA 

I  am.  .  .  .  [Pausing,  as  if  she  was  suppressing 
the  words.]  I  am  his  niece  .  .  .  [more 
sweetly]  that  is,  father  is  his  brother  ...  a  very 
different  man,  my  father.  .  .  . 

LOMELLINI 
We  know  that. 

MARIA 

Thank  you.  .  .  .  Oh !  no,  my  father  and  I  do 
not  approve  of  the  Marshal  .  .  .  but  what  is  to 
be  done  ?  .  .  .  He,  the  marshal,  is  the  dominating 
one ;  it  is  he  who  commands  [in  low  voice  and  al- 
most imperceptibly']  up  to  now  .  .  . 

CATTANEO 

[Gallantly  kissing  her  hand.]  I  salute  the 
handsome  ally! 

MARIA 

I  am  Genoese  as  my  father  is,  and  as  ought  to 
be  also  this  uncle  of  mine.  Is  he  not  too  a  Botta- 
Adorno  ? 

LOMELLINI 

[Ironically.]  He  asserts  that  he  has  to  settle 
an  old  account  with  our  Republic  of  Genoa. 

40 


ACT  H.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

MARIA 

\With  vivacity.]  I  know  it;  he  says  the  Re- 
public put  a  bounty  on  his  father's  head  and  con- 
fiscated all  his  father's  property,  but  of  two  things 
one :  either  his  father  was  guilty,  and  the  Repub- 
lic acted  very  well  in  the  premises  ...  or  his 
father  was  not  guilty,  and  the  son  has  proven  him- 
self unworthy  of  an  innocent  Genoese  patriot.  .  .  . 

CATTANEO 
[Laughing.]     Adorable  little  logician! 

LOMELLINI 

[In  admiration.]  You  have  the  courage  to 
utter  your  opinions. 

MARIA 

Yes  .  .  .  always.  And  then  I  recognise  myself 
now  among  friends.  .  .  .  You,  illustrious  Sena- 
tors, are  here.  .  .  . 

CATTANEO 

We  have  come  to  plead  mercy  for  our  most  un- 
happy Genoa. 

LOMELLINI 

It  is  hard  to  be  placed  in  a  position  to  have  to 
make  the  request. 

CATTANEO 

And  it  ought  not  to  have  to  be  done;  every 
promise  ought  to  be  kept. 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  n. 

MARIA 
But  we  are  in  the  hands  of  barbarians. 

GIACOMO 

[Looking  at  Maria  intently.]  It  is  an  histori- 
cal battle-cry  that — "  Fuori  i  barbari!"  Out 
with  the  barbarians  I 

MARIA 

[Responding  to  his  look."]  Yes;  "  Fuori  i  bar- 
bari!" 

[The  scene  is  interrupted  again  by  the  parting 
of  the  portieres.  Two  footmen  in  livery  hold 
them  aside,  as  the  Marshal  enters,  accompanied 
by  an  orderly-officer.  These  remain  in  the  back 
of  the  room,  while  the  Marshal  advances  to  the 
group.  Seeing  Maria,  to  her  in  a  harsh  tone.] 

MARSHAL 
And  you,  Maria,  what  are  you  doing  here? 

MARIA 

I  did  not  know  there  was  any  one  here  when 
I  entered  this  moment. 

MARSHAL 

Well  —  but  now  you  must  go ;  come  in  later  to 
offer  us  refreshments  I 

[Maria  with  a  quick  look  at  Giacomo,  who  re- 
turns it,  nods  to  the  Senators  and  exit.'] 

42 


ACT  IL]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

[The  Marshal  dismisses  the  officer  and  ser- 
vants. When  alone  with  the  three  men,  he  invites 
them  to  seat  themselves  and  instals  himself  with 
importance  in  an  arm-chair. ,] 

[Silence.] 

MARSHAL 

[With  impatience.']     Well? 

CATTANEO 

Your  Excellency  will  readily  guess  what  has 
brought  us  here. 

MARSHAL 

[With  a  tone  a  little  mocking. ~\  I  know  noth- 
ing. 

CATTANEO 

The  motive  is  serious  and  we  have  asked  the 
son  of  Senator  Lomellini  here  [pointing  to  Gia- 
como~\  to  act  as  Secretary.  The  Senate  must  be 
minutely  informed  of  all  the  words  which  are  to 
be  exchanged. 

MARSHAL 

I  have  no  objection  to  my  words  remaining 
firmly  impressed  on  you;  they  are  immutable  and 
are  to  become  law. 

CATTANEO 

It  would  have  served  well  had  the  words  of 
43 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  11. 

Mer  Majesty  the  Empress-Queen  Maria  Theresa 
too  become  law. 

MARSHAL 
[dlways  ironically."]     Indeed. 

LOMELLINI 

But,  alas,  such  is  not  the  case.  ...  I  call  up 
the  facts.  Your  Excellency  cannot  deny  that  the 
inexpressible  torture  of  the  past  two  weeks,  of 
which  Genoa  is  the  victim,  has  moved  the  whole 
civilised  world. 

GlACOMO 

No  one  can  hear  the  description  of  what  has 
taken  place  here  without  being  deeply  touched. 
There  are  no  horrors  or  violences  which  the  Aus- 
trian troops  have  hesitated  to  commit.  No 
woman  is  safe,  her  honour  respected,  no  citizen 
secure  in  his  goods  and  chattels.  They  want 
everything,  these  troops,  they  usurp  everything, 
they  prey  on  everything. 

MARSHAL 

Vae  Victis  —  To  the  Victors  belong  the  spoils 
—  said  the  Romans.  Well,  that  same  device  is 
ours  to-day.  And  we  consecrate  it  as  inheritance 
to  all  nations  who  have  faith  in  their  might. 
You  are  like  children,  you  Senators,  to  grieve 
yourselves  because  we,  the  victors,  carry  out  our 

44 


ACT  IL]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

right  of  booty  and  of  aggression  over  you  the 
conquered.  Perhaps  such  war-practices  are 
something  new  to  you  Genoese?  Have  you  not 
yourselves  gloriously  carried  out  your  pillages, 
your  rapines,  your  devastations  to  the  very  dregs, 
in  your  glorious  past? 

LOMELLINI 

Tempi  passati. 

MARSHAL 

[Mockingly.]  Autres  temps,  autres  moeurs. 
True,  in  times  gone,  one  partook  of  the  relish  of 
conquest  instinctively  in  one  gulp  without  appre- 
ciating its  voluptuousness.  Nowadays  one  sips 
of  the  juice  of  it,  and  so  drop  by  drop  with  un- 
derstanding exhausts  the  cup.  Yes,  war  is  no 
child's  play,  and  the  war  that  brings  conquest  in 
its  train  must  be  an  irresistible  onslaught  of  brute 
force  of  "  Schrecklichkeit."  And  to  the  captain 
who  knows  how  to  use  such  conquering  force  and 
the  devious  ways  he  knows  how  to  employ  it,  the 
better  for  him. 

GIACOMO 

You  must  admit,  that  in  the  end  such  violence 
and  injustice  falls  back  oh  the  conqueror. 

MARSHAL 

[Laughing."]     It  is  possible;  but  then  some- 
45 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  n. 

thing  has  to  happen  that  has  not  been  foreseen; 
that  the  conquered  becomes  the  conqueror. 
[With  wrath.~\  To  get  back  to  the  point.  Of 
what  are  you  Senators  complaining?  We  left 
you  your  political  rights,  and  we  did  you  the 
honour  to  ask  you  first  for  the  money  we  needed, 
which  was  ours  by  right  of  conquest. 

CATTANEO 

[Interrupting  with  force.]  We  cannot  give 
you  more  money,  that  is  certain  .  .  .  already  we 
have  given  you  too  much.  To  satisfy  your  un- 
just demands  we  plundered  the  Bank  of  San 
Giorgio  .  .  .  fortunately  that  crime  falls  back 
on  you ! 

MARSHAL 
[Always  laughing  hoarsely.'}     Ah!    Ah!    Ah! 

CATTANEO 

But  now  that  crime  shall  not  be  repeated,  so 
we  have  no  more  money  to  give  you.  How, 
where  should  we  be  able  to  find  it,  now  that  all 
traffic  has  come  to  a  standstill,  all,  all  gone,  lost, 
the  English  fleet  blockading  our  harbour,  taking 
possession  of  all  the  goods  that  arrive?  Too 
much ;  too  much  we  have  given  you  already.  Our 
case  is  most  pitiful,  and  His  Holiness  Benedict 
the  XIV  ordered  his  Nuncio  at  Vienna  to  obtain 

46 


ACT  ii.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

from  Her  Majesty  the  Empress-Queen  Maria 
Theresa  a  release,  or  at  least  an  extension,  of  the 
payment  of  the  third  million  you  demanded. 

MARSHAL 
Indeed. 

GIACOMO 

And  as  also  the  Ambassador  of  the  Republic, 
Giacomo  Spinola,  had  taken  a  great  interest  in 
the  matter,  Her  Majesty  had  consented. 

MARSHAL 
Indeed. 

LOMELLINI 

But  now  we  are  told  Her  Majesty  has  revoked 
the  signed  act,  and  as  if  that  were  not  sufficient, 
your  Excellency  demanded  an  addition  of  a  further 
fifteen  thousand  Genovine  on  top  of  all. 

MARSHAL 

Very  true;  we  are  in  great  need  of  money. 
The  cost  of  up-keep  of  the  army  is  enormous. 

GIACOMO 
But  Her  Majesty  has  broken  her  word. 

MARSHAL 

Ladies,  especially  in  high  positions,  do  not  un- 
derstand much  of  administration.  At  first  they 

47 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  n. 

let  themselves  be  overwhelmed  by  impressions 
.  .  .  fortunately  a  more  vigilant  council  puts  mat- 
ters right  again.  .  .  . 

CATTANEO 

In  short,  your  Excellency  is  responsible  for  the 
revocation  of  the  act  and  for  the  exaction  of  the 
new  payment? 

MARSHAL 
It  is  possible. 

GIACOMO 

Your  Excellency  assumes  a  very  grave  respon- 
sibility. 

LOMELLINI 

The  Senate  was  glad  of  the  condescension  of 
Her  Majesty  and  trusting  in  her,  had  taken  no 
measures  to  meet  the  payment. 

CATTANEO 

In  any  event,  it  is  obviously  impossible  to  pay 
it. 

MARSHAL 

There  are  the  private  fortunes  on  which  the 
Senate  can  fall  back.  Of  noble  and  rich  families 
Genoa  has  sufficient.  All  those  magnificent  pal- 
aces must  hide  mountains  of  gold.  Besides  how 
the  amount  is  to  be  gotten  together  does  not  con- 
cern me.  It  is  sufficient  for  me  that  it  be  paid  at 

48 


ACT  ii.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

the  stipulated  time.  \He  gets  up  and  with  him 
the  three  men.~\  You  have  come  representing 
the  Senate:  Inform  the  Senate  then  of  my  firm 
decision  that  this  demand  be  strictly  held  to. 

CATTANEO 
To  a  physical  impossibility  no  one  can  be  held. 

MARSHAL 

You  are  wrong  to  conceive  this  impost  so  ex- 
orbitant; there  may  come  others  yet  which  are 
much  heavier. 

GIACOMO 

Does  your  Excellency  wish  to  impose  on  the 
Republic  more  atrocious  humiliations,  to  throw  it 
into  abject  despair? 

MARSHAL 

[Looking  Giacomo  right  in  the  face.~\  As  long 
as  you  ask  me,  then  yes,  "  I  want  to  leave  to  Genoa 
but  her  eyes,  to  weep  with." 

GIACOMO 

[Also  looking  the  Marshal  in  the  face.~\  Your 
Excellency  had  better  have  a  care !  Of  too  bitter 
tears  rises  the  redemption. 

[Lomettini,  frightened  by  the  arrogant  tone  of 
his  son,  makes  a  sign  for  him  to  be  prudent,  but 
the  Marshal  intervenes  with  a  sarcastic  laugh.] 

49 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  n. 

MARSHAL 

Let  him  speak,  what  else  can  he  do?  He  is 
but  a  young  man  and  youth  must  gather  experience. 
And  this  young  man  will  soon  learn  to  see  [em- 
phasises with  gesture  each  word  he  utters]  that 
the  heel  of  the  enemy  crushes  all  the  arrogance  of 
the  conquered.  [Changes  his  tone.]  But  now 
enough  of  business ;  I  have  promised  to  recall  my 
niece  to  offer  you  some  refreshments,  she  is  a 
troublesome  little  minx  with  whom  one  must  keep 
one's  word. 

[Rings  the  bell  on  the  rich  damask-covered 
table,  and  then  to  the  servant  who  enters.]  The 
refreshments,  and  have  my  niece,  the  Illustrissima 
Signorina  Maria,  duly  informed. 

[The  three  men  on  mention  of  refreshments 
make  signs  of  negation;  but  the  Marshal  will  not 
be  denied.  Whilst  the  servants  bring  in  trays 
and  decanters  with  wine  and  liquors,  he  continues. ,] 

What  do  the  gentlemen  fear?  [Smiling. ] 
That  I  will  poison  you?  Ah!  I  certainly  need 
not  to  resort  to  such  means  if  I  wished  to  have 
your  Senate  vanish  and  your  Senators  in  the  bar- 
gain. No,  no,  partake  freely  of  my  refreshments, 
consider  yourselves  for  the  time  but  prisoners  of 
my  niece.  [To  Maria  who  enters.]  Is  it  not 
so,  Maria,  you  would  never  forgive  me,  if  I  had 
not  called  you  back?  [Turning  to  the  others.] 

50 


ACT  IL]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

My  niece  is  very  proud,  she  does  not  like  to  be 
sent  away. 

MARIA 

[Has  gone  to  the  table  where  dishes  of  deli- 
cacies and  decanters  are  set.]  You  are  right, 
uncle,  I  would  prefer  to  have  others,  I  know,  sent 
away  in  preference. 

MARSHAL 

And  now  show  what  fine  manners  you  have 
been  taught  in  the  convent. 

[A  silence,  whilst  Maria  goes  round  with  the 
glasses  in  her  hand.  The  three  men  take  the 
glasses  without  drinking;  Giacomo  leaves  the 
group  and  approaches  the  table,  turning  his  back 
to  the  company,  so  that  Maria,  now  returned  to 
the  table,  is  hidden  from  the  rest.] 

GIACOMO 
So  it  is  you !  .  .  .  You !  .  .  . 

MARIA 
Did  you  not  recognise  me  at  once  ? 

GIACOMO 

How  was  that  possible?  I,  I  should  never 
have  imagined!  And  you  are  ...  so  different 
.  .  .  from  .  .  .  Bianca.  But  why,  why,  at  least 
to  me;  why  have  you  not  told  the  truth?  ...  I 
would  never  have  betrayed  it ! 

51 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  u. 

MARIA 

I  was  not  proud  to  announce  my  relationship 
as  [pointing  to  the  Marshal  with  a  move  of  her 
chin]  his  niece  ...  I  am  so  glad  at  times  to  for- 
get it. 

GIACOMO 
And  nobody  here  knows? 

MARIA 

They  recognise  me  as  a  rebel,  but  not  to  the 
extent  you  know.  .  .  . 

[They  continue  to  speak  in  a  low  voice.  From 
the  other  part  of  the  room  one  hears  the  Mar" 
shal  say:~\ 

MARSHAL 

You  are  wrong,  you  Genoese.  Abandoned  by 
your  allies  the  French  and  the  English,  what  could 
you  hope?  .  .  .  Unprepared  you  had  nothing  to 
expect  but  the  worst  from  us. 

CATTANEO 

Why  the  worst?  We  have  not  been  at  war 
with  Her  Majesty  the  Empress ! 

MARSHAL 

[Laughing. ,]  You  are  treated  worse  by  an 
Italian,  the  King  of  Sardinia  takes  from  you 
whole  provinces,  he  ... 

52 


ACT  ii.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

[Continues  to  speak,  whilst  Giacomo  talks  with 
Maria  in  a  half  tone.~\ 

GIACOMO 

And  I  dared  the  other  night  to  speak  to  you 
as  I  did  ...  in  remembrance  whereof  I  blush 
.  .  .  what  pardon  can  I  ask  of  you? 

MARIA 

I  have  nothing  to  forgive  you ;  you  believed  me 
the  girl  of  the  people  .  .  .  and  you  spoke  to  me 
as  one  speaks  to  ...  a  girl  of  that  class. 

GIACOMO 

How  could  you  find  the  courage  to  come  alone, 
disguised,  at  night,  to  a  tavern  in  Sottoripa,  you 
so  young,  and  of  such  culture? 

MARIA 

It  was  the  only  way  for  me  to  get  to  my  com- 
panions and  to  act  with  them. 

GIACOMO 

And  if  the  Marshal  had  discovered?  Did  you 
not  think  of  the  risks  you  were  running? 

MARIA 

[Raising  her  shoulders  with  indifference.]  I 
live  only  for  the  purpose  of  pushing  [with  a 
look  at  the  Marshal}  these  out;  and  you  I  suppose 
have  no  other  thought? 

53 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  n. 

GlACOMO 

How  can  you  ask?  Did  you  not  often  hear  me 
speak  with  our  comrades  at  the  rendezvous? 

MARIA 

I  must  hear  all.  .  .  .  How  did  it  go  [pointing 
to  the  uncle~\  —  I  mean  your  visit  here  ? 

GlACOMO 

As  was  to  be  foreseen  .  .  .  bad.  .  .  .  He  has 
refused  all  and  any  concession. 

MARIA 

Never  mind.  It  remains  to  us  now  to  fight  for 
our  sacred  cause  of  Genoa  .  .  .  and  the  mission  I 
have  undertaken  .  .  .  will  not  fail. 

GlACOMO 

And  you  still  will  not  tell  me  plainly,  how  you 
intend  to  fulfil  it  ?  You  should  tell  me  now ;  there 
might  be  perils  in  store  for  you. 

MARIA 

Secret  missions  must  remain  secret. 
[They  continue  to  speak  in  a  low  voice,  whilst 
one  hears  Cattaneo  say:~\ 

CATTANEO 

Your  Excellency  forgets  that  the  whole  popula- 
tion is  for  us,  and  so  against  you.  .  .  . 

54 


ACT  n.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

MARSHAL 

The  people?  But  if  you  didn't  know  you 
wanted  them  —  didn't  know  how  to  make  use  of 
them? 

LOMELLINI 

But  we  still  have  arms;  we  still  have  our  can- 
nons! 

MARSHAL 

Cannons?  \With  a  malicious  laugh.~\  But  if 
all  that  belongs  to  us  now ! 

[They  continue  to  speak,  whilst  one  hears  the 
•voice  of  Giacomo,  who  speaks  always  in  low 
voice.] 

GIACOMO 

You  were  surprised  by  the  entrance  of  the  Aus- 
trians  into  the  convent? 

MARIA 

Yes;  it  was  terrible.  My  father  was  away. 
As  soon  as  we  knew  of  their  entering  Genoa  we 
attempted  to  escape.  But  it  was  already  too  late. 
The  soldiers  had  by  then  half  besieged  us.  The 
poor  nuns  begged  for  mercy;  you  understand 
they  were  responsible  for  all  of  us.  And  before 
we  realised  we  were  at  the  mercy  of  the  invaders. 
They  would  have  broken  into  the  convent,  but  the 
intervention  of  my  uncle  made  it  possible  for  my 
father  to  enter  the  convent  and  take  me  away  with 

55 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  n. 

him,  and  one  by  one  the  other  fathers  came  to 
save  their  daughters  from  the  ruffians. 

GIACOMO 

[Raging.]  Well  said  .  .  .  ruffians  ...  ay! 
if  I  had  been  there ! 

MARIA 

You,  and  what  could  you  have  done  ?  Then  like 
now  it  was  necessary  to  be  many  to  save  ourselves. 
At  the  price  of  many  only  Genoa  will  once  more 
be  free.  With  this  in  mind  I  have,  with  trem- 
bling heart  joined  the  small  group  of  liberators  at 
the  tavern  of  Sottoripa.  Ah!  no,  we  Genoese 
were  not  created  to  be  oppressed.  In  ourselves, 
in  our  people  only  shall  we  find  the  force  ...  to 
liberate  ourselves  of  the  heavy  yoke  of  to-day. 

GIACOMO 
May  it  be  granted  us. 

MARIA 

You  say  that,  and  yet  you  tremble  when  you 
see  me  decided  to  go  on  with  the  mission  I  have 
assumed. 

GIACOMO 

I  know,  but  are  you  not  too  overdaring  .  .  . 
perhaps  imprudent? 

56 


ACT  H.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

MARIA 

Imprudent  ?  I  shall  know  how  to  take  the  nec- 
essary precautions  not  to  be  taken  by  surprise. 

GIACOMO 

We  are  surrounded  by  perils  and  perhaps  there 
might  be  other  ways  for  you  to  arrive  at  your 
aim. 

MARIA 
I  do  not  see  any  other. 

GIACOMO 

Why  don't  you  try  to  reach  your  ends  through 
your  uncle  ?  If  you  succeeded  with  him  where  we 
have  failed,  the  greatest  good  would  result,  it 
would  be  a  step  towards  our  goal. 

MARIA 

What  nonsense!  How  can  I  hope  to  succeed 
here  where  the  Senators  have  failed? 

GIACOMO 
At  all  events  you  might  try. 

MARIA 

The  consent  of  my  uncle  would  not  change  any- 
thing at  all.  In  the  humour  in  which  these  Aus- 
trians  are,  the  game  would  but  be  postponed  per- 
haps only  for  a  while,  then  all  at  once  we  should 
find  ourselves  totally  overwhelmed. 

57 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  11. 

GlACOMO 

Let  us  leave  it  to  the  fates  to  decide.  If  your 
uncle  repeats  to  you  his  "  no  "  it  is  then  that  events 
will  be  precipitated  .  .  .  and  I  shall  accept  that 
with  more  resignation,  because  you  ...  so  gen- 
erously are  confronting  it.  Let  it  be  settled  this 
way  and  so  make  me  happy  [looking  at  her  ten- 
derly] with  the  proof  that  you  have  pardoned 
me.  .  .  . 

MARIA 

[Not  convinced,  but  won  by  his  tenderness.] 
Well,  let  it  be  so,  just  to  please  you. 

GlACOMO 

[Passionately]  Ah!  then  you  do  wish  to 
please  me? 

MARIA 

[Putting  charmingly  a  finger  to  her  lips.] 
Sssttt  .  .  . 

LOMELLINI 

Well,  my  son,  we  must  go. 

CATTANEO 
[With  a  sigh  of  relief]     Yes,  we  must  go. 

MARSHAL 

[In  his  ironical  way]  I  have  no  excuse  further 
to  keep  you. 

58 


ACT  ii.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

[Salutes  —  bows  —  the  three  men  kiss  Maria's 
hand  —  then  exeunt.] 

[When  they  have  gone,  the  Marshal,  who  had 
made  a  step  towards  the  door  as  if  he  were  leav- 
ing with  them,  comes  to  front  of  stage  where 
Maria  remains  deep  in  thought.] 

MARSHAL 

[Rubbing  his  hands]  They  left  as  they  came. 
They  have  wasted  their  time  [watching  his  niece, 
with  a  smirk],  except  one,  eh!  It  seems  to  me 
you  took  a  fancy  to  the  fine  young  man,  eh  ?  You 
understood  yourselves  well.  It  is  not  surprising, 
he  is  a  rebel  and  you  too.  And  beyond  statecraft 
—  love. 

MARIA 

We  did  not  speak  of  love. 

MARSHAL 

No  ?  Of  what  then  did  you  speak  with  so  much 
fire? 

MARIA 

He  told  me  that  you  refused  your  consent  to 
what  they  had  come  to  ask  of  you.  It  would  have 
been  only  right  to  grant  what  you  had  before 
promised  .  .  .  uncle,  why  were  you  so  vexatious  ? 

MARSHAL 

Probably  I  had  my  reasons. 
59 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  n. 

MARIA 

But,  uncle,  one  must  keep  one's  promises  [with 
charm]  in  the  convent  we  have  been  taught  so. 

MARSHAL 

Those  are  lessons  good  for  boarding-school 
girls  —  They  won't  serve  for  Statesmen  and  for 
Warriors. 

MARIA 
[Always  with  grace, ]     You  say  that  .  .  . 

MARSHAL 

Yes,  /  say  it,  many  others  will  say  it  and  will 
stand  by  the  consequences. 

MARIA 

War  is  a  horrible  thing;  we  should  try  not  to 
augment  its  horrors. 

MARSHAL 

War  has  its  good  side;  it  is  the  expression  of 
force  and  energy,  it  develops  the  best  qualities  of 
man. 

MARIA 

Of  man?  Also  when  a  pack  of  drunken 
soldiers  beset  a  convent? 

MARSHAL 

[Carelessly.']     That  was  but  a  digression. 
60 


ACT  ii.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

MARIA 

But  a  digression  of  which  your  niece  might  have 
become  a  victim. 

MARSHAL 
\With  indifference.]     I  am  sorry  .  .  . 

MARIA 

It  should  really  and  truly  matter  to  you,  because 
in  that  episode  I  learnt  many  things  of  which  be- 
fore ...  I  was  totally  ignorant.  You  are  re- 
sponsible, if  I  have  learnt  too  much. 

MARSHAL 
I? 

MARIA 

Yes,  you  .  .  .  when  these  awful  soldiers 
wanted  to  enter  the  convent,  when  I  saw  the  nuns 
terrified  not  alone  for  themselves  but  still  more  for 
us,  over  whom  they  had  assumed  responsibility, 
when  I  understood  that  they  were  trembling  not 
only  for  fear  of  material  injury  or  out  of  fear  of 
death  .  .  .  but  for  fear  of  an  injury  to  come  to 
them  a  thousand  times  worse  than  death  .  .  . 
well  then  I  understood  things  which  never,  oh, 
never  before  had  crossed  my  mind  .  .  .  and  for 
all  this  it  is  you  I  blame.  .  .  .  You,  with  your  cal- 
ousness,  your  disregard  of  the  laws  of  nations  .  . . 

61 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  n. 

MARSHAL 

[Ironically. ]  What  had  I  to  do  with  it?  It 
was  not  I  who  besieged  the  convent. 

MARIA 

But  you  were  the  captain  of  them,  the  supreme 
commander  of  that  rabble.  It  was  you  who  gave 
them  free  rein  to  do  as  they  chose  in  Genoa. 
Genoa  which  is  your  native  town,  and  you  a  Botta- 
Adorno ! 

MARSHAL 

I  had  to  obey  the  orders  of  my  imperial  Mis- 
tress ! 

MARIA 
Your  Mistress !     An  Austrian ! 

MARSHAL 

I  had  to  avenge  the  offence  the  Republic  did 
my  father. 

MARIA 

My  father  who,  though  he  had  the  same  father 
as  you  yourself,  does  not  agree  with  you.  He  is 
a  Genoese  heart  and  soul. 

MARSHAL 

How  can  I  help  it,  if  your  father  has  no  blood 
in  his  veins  ? 

62 


ACT  ii.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

MARIA 

Notwithstanding  history  will  judge  you  most 
severely. 

MARSHAL 

It  will  not  be  you,  rebellious  little  judge,  who 
will  write  history,  and  I  have  a  thousand  justifi- 
cations. 

MARIA 

Such  justifications  would  not  leave  me  a  moment 
of  peace,  if  I  were  in  your  place. 

MARSHAL 
Conscience  of  a  boarding-school  girl! 

MARIA 

It  may  be ;  but  still  let  yourself  be  moved  by  this 
conscience  of  a  boarding-school  girl;  throw  off  that 
hateful  uniform  of  yours !  Uncle  mine,  return  to 
us !  Return  to  Genoa ! 

MARSHAL 
You  are  crazy! 

MARIA 

Throw  it  off,  oh,  throw  off  that  hateful  garb. 
Do  not  contaminate  this  city  longer  with  foreign 
domination,  this  our  soil  refulgent  in  old-time 
glory,  rich  in  tradition,  energies  and  activities. 
Throw  your  disguise  off,  oh,  throw  it  off,  before 
it  is  too  late ! 

63 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  n. 

MARSHAL 
[Laughing.']     What?     Threatenings  now  I 

MARIA 

[Serious.  ]  You  have  no  conception  of  the  suf- 
ferings of  our  entire  people  obliged  to  live  among 
bumbailiffs,  longing  so  impatiently  for  liberty,  for 
the  liberation  of  every  foreign  moral  and  material 
bond,  trembling  impatiently  for  their  inalienable 
right  once  more  to  cry  out  "  the  soil,  the  beautiful 
soil  which  God  has  given  us  is  ours,  ours  to  the  last 
boundary";  oh,  no,  no,  you  have  no  conception 
of  what  this  all  means  to  them. 

MARSHAL 
I  shall  have  to  be  enlightened  by  you ! 

MARIA 

Don't  be  blind  for  the  sake  of  your  impetuous 
love  of  vengeance.  Do  grant,  do  pardon  at  least 
what  you  owe  as  a  duty  of  justice. 

MARSHAL 

[Sarcastically.']  Now  you  become  legislator, 
too. 

MARIA 

[Emphatically .]  You  do  not  behave  well  in 
breaking  your  pledge  in  imposing  these  unfair 
taxes,  of  taxes  far  beyond  possibility  of  payment. 

64 


ACT  ii.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

Release  the  Genoese  of  part  of  these  or  extend 
their  time  of  payment,  if  you  can  do  nothing 
else. 

MARSHAL 
[Resolutely  and  harshly. .]     NO ! 

MARIA 

[Ironically.]  Of  course,  how  could  such  as  you 
answer  differently,  you  who  are  perjured  in  don- 
ning colours  which  are  not  yours,  you  who  are  .  . . 

MARSHAL 

[Interrupting  with  rage]  That  adorer  of 
yours  has  not  made  a  happy  choice  in  you  for  ad- 
vocate of  his  cause.  Your  words  now  only  urge 
me  to  harder  oppression  of  your  dear  Genoa. 
You  are  a  very  silly  childish  woman,  you  who 
dare  to  lecture  me  on  matters  of  state,  you  my 
niece  who  instead  of  rendering  me  the  natural 
respect  and  affection  you  owe  me  dare  to  provoke 
me. 

MARIA 

[Changing  her  tone.~\  Oh!  Uncle,  if  any  gen- 
tle or  sweet  words  of  mine  could  persuade  you  to 
be  more  lenient  to  our  unhappy  city,  I  could  not 
find  enough  of  them  ...  if  my  affection  and  re- 
spect would  induce  you  to  appease  your  wrath 
towards  our  Genoa  I  should  hurry  to  kneel  at 

65 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  n. 

your  feet.     [Makes  an  attempt  to  kneel  at  the 
feet  of  the  Marshal.] 

MARSHAL 

[By  a  gesture  making  her  rise  before  she  has 
been  able  to  recline  herself.]  I  have  no  need  of 
your  respect  and  even  less  of  your  affection;  I  do 
not  occupy  myself  with  you ;  if  I  attached  any  im- 
portance to  your  words  I  should  grind  you  into 
impotence.  Insolent  and  pathetic  as  they  are, 
your  words  are  but  source  of  mirth  to  me.  I  did 
not  wait  on  your  advice  to  judge  my  conduct  or 
to  modify  it.  [Laughing  irefully.~\  Oh!  oh! 
At  my  age  I  am  not  to  be  led  by  the  nose  by  such 
as  you.  At  your  age,  you  to  give  yourself  such 
airs  —  you  who  should  still  be  in  a  convent  —  it  is 
too  laughable.  If  I  have  one  thing  to  regret  it  is 
this  war  has  turned  you  but  of  your  seclusion. 

MARIA 

In  that  you  may  be  saying  the  truth  and  really 
regret  it.  ... 

MARSHAL 

[Laughing  hoarsely. ,]  Ay!  .  . .  Ay! . . .  Again 
a  change  of  tone.  .  .  .  And  still  more  obscure 
menaces.  .  .  .  Perchance,  you  have  made  yourself 
a  conspirator  with  that  pale  admirer  of  yours,  who 
too  assumes  an  air  as  if  he  held  the  fate  of  the 
city  in  the  palm  of  his  hand.  .  .  .  Splendid, 

66 


ACT  ii.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

splendid,  go  ahead,  children.  ...  As  a  man  of 
arms  my  advice  to  you  is  to  keep  your  powder 
dry  .  .  .  that  is,  if  you  will  not  lack  cannons  for 
the  powder. 

[Exit,  sneering  and  repeating  the  last  words. ~\ 

MARIA 

[Stamping  her  feet,  her  fists  clenched  in  wrath 
and  vengeance.] 

AS  TO  THAT,  WAIT  AND  SEE ! 
CURTAIN 


THIRD  ACT 

In  the  Ducal  Palace.  The  Doge,  'very  old,  is 
seated  on  the  throne.  The  Senators  in  arm-chairs 
circle  about  him.  In  the  centre  a  table,  where  two 
secretaries  are  seated.  On  the  table  are  the  crown 
and  the  Symbols  of  the  ducal  dignity.  An  urn 
for  voting  purposes  and  writing  utensils. 

THE  DOGE 

It  is  with  greatest  sorrow  I  find  myself  obliged, 
O  magnificent  Senators,  to  submit  to  you  always 
more  ill  tidings.  It  would  seem  that  fate,  besides 
bearing  down  so  heavily  on  our  unfortunate  city, 
presses  down  especially  hard  on  me,  her  unworthy 
chief.  [A  whisper  in  the  assembly  which  the 
Doge  bids  to  silence  with  a  gesture  of  his  hand.~\ 
Alas  I  unworthy  am  I  truly,  since  I  have  not  been 
able  to  avert  from  the  beloved  ramparts  of  our 
city  the  terrible  calamities  which  assail  it.  I 
know,  I  know,  what  you  magnificent  Senators  have 
for  answer;  that  it  was  not  in  my  power,  as  'twas 
not  in  yours.  But  was  death  itself  not  to  be  pre- 
ferred perhaps,  yes,  death,  which  because  of  my 

68 


ACT  in.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

advanced  age  is  already  close  at  hand,  to  the  in- 
dignity to  my  name,  hitherto  chaste,  a  slur  the 
severe  verdict  of  History  will  now  fasten  upon  it  ? 
Have  I  perhaps  not  sinned  in  my  hour  of  weakness 
in  signing  that  fatal  deed  of  capitulation  of  mine 
city  ?  And  yet  what  else  was  there  for  me  to  do  ? 
We  had  tried  everything  else,  not  so  ?  The  mag- 
nificent Senator  Grimaldi  knows  it  [points  to  the 
Senator,  who  bends  his  head  in  sign  of  affirma- 
tion] ;  the  Magnificent  Senator  Agostini  Lomel- 
lini  knows  {bending  head  as  above],  you  who  had 
been  sent  to  Field-Marshal  Botta-Adorno  to  try 
to  obtain  more  humane  conditions.  In  vain,  he 
could  not  be  moved  a  jot  and  further  insisted  that 
the  keys  of  the  city  and  the  arms  of  our  citizens 
be  consigned  over  to  him  instantly.  True,  to  such 
extreme  terms  the  people  rose  in  fury  and  would 
there  and  then  have  taken  up  arms  to  prevent  the 
Austrians  entering  the  town;  but  how  could  we 
encourage  such  an  insurrection?  With  but  few 
soldiers  and  minus  money,  the  city  could  surely  not 
have  defended  itself  efficaciously  nor  held  out  for 
any  length  of  time,  whilst  such  resistance  would 
only  have  made  the  enemy  more  ferocious,  once 
they  had  victoriously  entered  the  city.  That  the 
enemy  is  brutal  and  without  a  sense  of  pity  is 
again  evidenced  by  what  to-day  I  have  to  submit 
to  you.  Therefore  I  have  assembled  you. 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  in. 

\A  silence  as  if  the  old  man  felt  himself  over- 
whelmed by  the  duty  imposed  upon  him.  Then 
he  proceeds.] 

And  yet  we  believed  that  the  measure  was  full, 
we  thought  to  have  wept  all  our  tears  of  blood  in 
signing  that  capitulation  and  making  booty  of  the 
money  of  San  Giorgio  to  pay  the  millions  de- 
manded by  Marshal  Botta-Adorno.  .  .  .  Alas 
no,  there  remain  other  blood-tears  to  be  shed! 
A  new  and  much  greater  menace  is  awaiting  us. 
These  despicable  Austrians  now  lay  claim  to  our 
cannon,  to  transport  them  from  Genoa,  so  that 
they  may  serve  that  expedition  into  Provence  di- 
rected by  the  English  and  by  the  King  of  Sardinia 
against  the  French.  And  in  two  days  our  cannon 
will  set  forth  from  the  Lanterna  to  be  borne  away 
never  to  return. 

[The  Senators  in  a  chorus:] 

"  Impossible."  "  We  shall  never  allow  that  I  " 
"  It  shall  never  be  said !  "  .  .  . 

DOGE 

And  yet  .  .  .  how  prevent  such  a  crime? 
The  Austrians  have  the  force  behind  them. 

CENTURIONE 
We  must  try  everything  rather  than  submit  to 

such  an  incalculable  damage. 

» 

70 


ACT  in.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

DOGE 

Magnificent  Senator  Centurione,  I  can  think  of 
no  remedy  for  it. 

D'ORIA 
I  propose  to  try  again  to  persuade  the  Marshal. 

DOGE 

The  demand  of  the  Austrians,  Magnificent  Sen- 
ator D'Oria,  is  made  in  such  peremptory  manner 
that  it  admits  of  no  reply.  And  besides,  we  have 
already  seen  what  little  avail  the  negotiations  with 
the  Marshal  are  .  .  .  and  in  Vienna.  .  .  .  Even 
Benedict  XIV  has  been  made  a  fool  of. 

FIESCHI 

That  was  a  question  of  money  .  .  .  money 
goes  and  comes  .  .  .  and  we  shall  see  our  Geno- 
vine  come  back  again.  But  here  it  is  question  of 
the  city's  most  sacred  defences,  our  autonomy. 

IMPERIALI 

Add,  Magnificent  Senator  Fieschi,  that  our 
dangers  grow  more  complex  because  of  the  help 
the  King  of  Sardinia  lends  the  Austrians.  This 
fellow  has  need  of  our  cannon  to  serve  them 
against  us,  and  so  favour  our  enemy  the  Austrians. 

PALLAVICINI 

[With  wrath.~\  I  agree,  I  agree,  Magnificent 
Senator  Imperial!,  it  is  horrible,  it  is  horrible. 

71 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  in. 

D'ORIA 

The  King  of  Sardinia,  Magnificent  Senator 
Pallavicini,  does  but  continue  his  work  and  bring 
it  to  fulfilment.  .  .  .  Has  he  perhaps  not  already 
entered  in  Savona,  valiantly  though  vainly  de- 
fended by  Agostino  Adorno  ?  Did  he  not  go  as 
far  as  Ventimiglia  ?  His  ambition  is  on  a  par 
with  the  fortune  of  his  arms. 

DEFORNARI 

Certainly  Senator  D'Oria  is  right,  the  King  of 
Sardinia  by  approaching  Austria  has  become  an 
implacable  enemy  of  ours  .  .  .  and  yet  .  .  . 

IMPERIALI 

And  yet  .  .  .  Magnificent  Senator  Defor- 
nari.  .  .  . 

DEFORNARI 

And  yet  our  greatest  enemy  remains  always  the 
Austrian.  I  see  in  the  king  of  Sardinia  the  suc- 
cessor of  these  brave  Savoians,  so  shrewd  in  ex- 
tending their  land  and  rewinning  it  for  Italian  soil ; 
always  ready  and  skilful  to  snatch  away  from  the 
foreigner  as  much  Italian  soil  as  they  can.  Cer- 
tainly, it  is  a  great  damage  to  us  that  Charles 
Emanuel  the  Third  is  allied  against  us,  and  with 
the  Austrians,  that  he  prods  them  on  to  taking 
away  our  country,  but  I  am  convinced  that  the  al- 

72 


ACT  in.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

liance  of  these  two  is  but  temporary.  Their  work 
means  but  a  transitory  halt  to  the  natural  develop- 
ment of  the  territory  involved.  The  soil  that 
Charles  Emanuel  to-day  snatches  away  from  us  he 
will  keep  for  himself,  and  it  will  at  least  so  fall 
under  the  dominion  of  an  Italian.  He  is  a  prince 
of  our  blood,  and  it  is  he  who  possesses  himself 
of  the  land,  not  the  foreigner. 

GAVOTTI 

[Sadly.]  He  or  another,  what  does  it  matter 
in  so  far  that  the  land  no  longer  belongs  to  us, 
whose  fair  possessions  in  times  gone  by  dotted  the 
seas  of  Marmora,  the  Black,  the  Adriatic,  the 
Mediterranean. 

DEFORNARI 

Only  too  true,  Magnificent  Senator  Gavotti. 
But  there  are-  historical  necessities  to  which  we 
have  to  yield  and-  understand  their  indisputable 
grandeur.  Nobody  more  than  I  weeps  over  soil 
fallen  under  the  Signoria  of  a  Savoian;  but  this 
does  not  prevent  me  to  foresee,  how,  little  by  little, 
in  centuries  to  come  the  fate  of  Genoese  posses- 
sions will  be  the  fate  of  all  Italy.  Under  the  dom- 
ination of  the  Savoians,  made  stronger  by  their 
successes  and  their  cleverness  in  seizing  the  lucky 
moment  and  in  dominating  it,  in  their  action  I  can 
conceive  how  all  the  states,  all  the  Italian  Repub- 

73 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  in. 

lies  can  fall  into  the  supreme  power  of  one  king, 
King  no  more  of  Sardinia,  but  of  all  Italy ! 

CENTURIONE 
[Somewhat  ironically.']     How  interesting! 

DEFORNARI 

It  is  fate  itself.  We  Genoese  like  the  Venetians 
have  the  wide  expanse  of  the  sea,  which  extends 
our  dominions  and  our  commerce.  But  the  King 
of  Sardinia  closed  up  as  he  is  between  the  Alps 
and  the  Italian  provinces  and  always  at  the  mercy 
of  the  foreigner  is  forced  to  extend  his  territories 
in  Italy  itself,  if  he  is  to  hold  off  his  oppressors. 
And  he  succeeds,  because  he  accomplishes  his  mis- 
sion which  is  to  obtain  the  natural  boundaries  of 
his  state  and  to  leave  them,  out  of  reach  of  others 
and  fortified,  to  his  successors.  Such  is  the  pos- 
sibility of  the  chief  of  a  state  ruled  by  a  Dynasty, 
not  limited  as  is  the  government  of  a  Republic  by 
parties  and  factions,  which  as  the  Republic  grows 
weak  contest  each  other's  power.  And  I  see 
clearly  how  the  descendants  of  such  a  monarchical 
Savoian  House  can  well  make  use  of  such  power 
incessantly,  fixedly,  until  they  have  constituted 
a  unique  and  indissoluble  greater  Italy.  And  our 
outcry  "  Fuori  i  barbari,"  hitherto  so  sorrowful 
and  barren,  will  be  echoed  and  re-echoed  by  the 

74 


ACT  m.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

whole    of    Italy    roaringly    and    triumphantly! 
"  Fuori  i  barbari!  " 

[Keeps  silent,  absorbed  by  his  vision,  and  the 
other  Senators  respect  his  silence.] 

CATTANEO 

[Interrupting  the  silence  and  with  slight  irony. ~\ 
Still  to-day  to  make  way  for  the  future  magnifi- 
cence of  the  Dynasty  of  the  Savoian  would  signify 
to  us  not  only  to  work  for  its  grandeur,  but  also 
for  the  grandeur  of  the  Austrians. 

DOGE 

[With  pain.~\  My  heart's  desire,  Magnificent 
Senator  Cattaneo,  is  that  we  were  so  strong  as  not 
to  be  obliged  to  cede  to  anybody  a  jot,  no,  not  even 
a  stone  of  our  soil.  I  should  wish  we  were  strong 
enough  to  crush  out  whatever  servitude  the  enemy 
imposes  upon  us  ...  and  which  alas  becomes 
daily  ever  more  crushing.  What  is  to  be  done  ? 

FIESCHI 

For  one  thing,  we  cannot,  we  must  not  allow 
them  to  take  away  from  us  our  cannon.  We  all, 
every  one  of  us  in  the  depth  of  his  heart  cherishes 
the  dream  of  the  eventual  liberation  of  our  city, 
but  without  the  cannon,  however  can  such  a  con- 
summation be  accomplished? 

75 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  m. 

LOMELLINI 

Not  to  mention  the  ignominy,  Magnificent  Sen- 
ator Fieschi,  of  such  spoliation. 

D'ORiA 

The  people  would  with  right  ask  us  to  justify 
why  we  had  allowed  such. 

PALLAVICINI 

The  magnificent  Senator  D'Oria  says  rightly, 
there  is  but  the  hope  left,  that  the  people  itself, 
tired  of  its  misplaced  faith  in  us  shall  rise  as  one 
man  in  eager  defence  of  the  vaunted  cannon  of 
their  native  city. 

CATTANEO 

The  populace  rages.  It  asks  but  a  pretext  to 
rise,  and  you,  magnificent  Senator  Pallavicini,  you 
know  that  truly. 

FIESCHI 

And  how  do  you  know  it,  Magnificent  Senator 
Cattaneo? 

PALLAVICINI 

Because  Senator  Cattaneo  and  I  are  wont  to 
ramble  about  the  city  day,  and  especially  night, 
for  the  sole  purpose  of  sounding  the  true  feelings 
of  the  inhabitants.  ...  In  this  way  we  discov- 
ered that  in  Sottoripa  there  exists  a  tavern  .  .  . 


ACT  m.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

where  for  some  weeks  past,  spirited  meetings  in 
favour  of  a  popular  insurrection  are  held. 

LOMELLINI 

And  of  this  important  item  you  did  not  think 
it  pertinent  to  inform  us,  the  Government? 

CATTANEO 

To  what  purpose  ?  The  Government  assuredly 
would  not  have  been  opposed. 

DOGE 

Certainly  not.  It  has  been  our  special  wish, 
our  desire,  that  in  all  public  places,  in  the  banks, 
the  coffee  and  wine-shops,  everywhere  there  should 
be  discussed  the  terrible  prevailing  conditions  of 
the  Republic,  fermenting  in  this  way  the  popular 

hatred  against  our  oppressors. 

\ 

PALLAVICINI 

But  to  make  known  to  you,  even  with  caution, 
the  news  of  these  meetings  was  to  run  the  risk  of 
having  it  reach  the  ears  of  the  Austrians. 

D'ORIA 
Are  the  plotters  many? 

CATTANEO 

Not  many,  Magnificent  Senator  D'Oria.  There 
may  be  seven  or  eight  of  the  people.  But  de- 

77 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  in. 

cided  and  resolute  they  are,  absolutely  determined 
on  the  liberation  of  the  city.  Sure  it  is,  they  can 
toll  the  hour  of  the  starting  of  uprising. 

FIESCHI 

It  remains  to  be  seen  whether  they  will  succeed 
in  securing  additions  to  their  numbers. 

CENTURIONE 

Evidently  here  is  much  to  be  thought  over;  but 
in  the  movement  there  is  hope ;  a  ray  of  light  cast 
on  our  gloomy  state.  Rest  assured  that  ardent 
group  of  patriots  will  leave  no  stone  unturned  to 
prevent  our  cannon  being  dragged  away. 

DOGE 

The  most  Holy  Virgin  Mary,  protectress  of  our 
city,  has  well  inspired  our  decision  that  nothing 
of  the  terrible  outrages  of  the  Austrians  shall  be 
kept  away  from  the  people.  In  the  violation  of 
the  most  vital  and  sacred  interests  of  its  city  the 
people  in  itself  must  find  unswerving  strength  to 
defend  and  to  avenge  itself. 

D'ORIA 

[With  strength.]  Verily,  in  the  people  rests 
our  sole  hope,  our  only  salvation. 

\_A n  usher  enters  and  with  a  low  bow  to  the 
Doge  he  makes  sign  to  be  allowed  to  speak.] 

78 


ACT  in.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

DOGE 
Dite. 

USHER 

There  is  a  woman,  a  woman  of  the  people,  who 
peremptorily  insists  in  having  audience  of  your 
Serenissime. 

DOGE 

A  woman  ?  But  no  woman  is  admitted  to  speak 
to  me  during  the  Council. 

USHER 

The  guards  below  tried  to  stop  her,  but  she  was 
not  to  be  denied  and  fought  her  way  on.  The 
guards  rather  than  have  a  crowd  attracted  in  the 
street  by  her  wilful  actions  let  her  come  up.  We 
have  opposed  our  energetic  refusal  to  introduce 
her  here  to  your  Serenissime.  But  she  will  not 
relent  and  threatens  momentarily  to  raise  her 
voice  and  bring  about  an  uproar.  For  the  dignity 
of  your  Serenissime  and  of  the  Assembly,  I  have 
taken  leave  to  enter  here  and  expose  the  case  to 
your  Serenissime. 

DOGE 

And  what  says  she? 

USHER 

That  she  is  in  urgent  need  to  submit  to  your 
Serenissime  most  important  information. 

79 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  in. 

DOGE 

But  we  are  in  Council;  if  she  wants  to  speak  to 
me,  why  asks  she  not  for  private  audience  ? 

USHER 

I  so  observed  to  her.  She  answered,  however, 
that  what  she  has  to  say  concerns  not  private  af- 
fairs, but  is  of  public  interest.  And  she  urges  . . . 
urges  .  .  .  without  end. 

DOGE 

And  you  say,  she  is  a  woman  of  the  lower 
classes  ? 

USHER 

She  speaks  in  dialect  and  willingly  would  make 
use  of  her  fists,  if  we  refuse  her  entrance. 

PALLAVICINI 

It  is  not  unlikely  she  be  a  messenger  of  the 
group  of  the  inn  of  Sottoripa. 

CATTANEO 

It  is  possible  ...  it  is  possible  .  .  .  anything 
is  possible  in  the  times  we  are  living,  not  unlikely 
and  perhaps  providential  this. 

LOMELLINI 

We  cannot  afford  to  turn  away  any  assistance, 
not  even  on  a  chance. 

80 


ACT  in.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

DOGE 

In  short,  it  seems  to  me,  that  you,  Magnificent 
Senators,  agree  to  have  her  come  in? 

THE  SENATORS  IN  CHORUS 

We  do. 

DOGE 

Only  it  is  not  permitted  to  set  aside  the  Rules 
of  Council.  If  we  must  receive  her,  this  woman 
of  the  people,  so  be  it,  but  I  propose  that  the  sit- 
ting first  be  dissolved.  Its  statutes  thus  will  not 
be  violated  .  .  .  and  we  may  at  the  same  time 
gain  useful  information,  if  this  woman  really 
comes  from  the  people.  .  .  .  The  Magnificent 
Senators  approve? 

SENATORS  IN  CHORUS 
We  approve. 

DOGE 

[  To  the  secretaries.]     The  sitting  is  adjourned. 
[The  secretaries  rise,  gather  their  -papers,  and 
after  a  profound  bow  to  the  Doge,  retire.] 

DOGE 

[To  Usher.]     Have  her  come  in. 
{Usher  exits;  a  little  while  after  he  introduces 
Bianca;  she  is  dressed  as  in  first  act  as  a  woman  of 
the  lower  classes  and  affects  the  manners  of  such. 

81 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  in. 

She  feigns  to  be  embarrassed.  The  Senators  at 
her  appearing  look  at  her,  full  of  curiosity,  and 
some  of  them  abandon  their  arm-chairs  and  ap- 
proach her.  The  Doge  remains  on  his  throne. 
.  .  .  Bianca,  after  having  made  an  awkward  bow 
to  the  Doge,  remains  silent. ,] 

DOGE 

So  you  desired  to  speak  to  me;  what  is  it  you 
have  to  tell  me  ? 

BIANCA 

[/«  low  voice  feigning  to  be  embarrassed.]  I 
have  a  favour  to  ask  of  your  Serenissime. 

DOGE 

A  favour?  Could  you  not  have  asked  it  from 
me  without  coming  here  ? 

BIANCA 

There  was  no  time  to  lose  and  it  is  not  a  ques- 
tion of  a  private  affair,  it  is  a  matter  which  inter- 
ests us  all.  .  .  . 

CENTURIONE 
Who  .  .  .  all? 

BIANCA 

We  all  Genoese;  it  is  surely  a  question  that 
touches  Genoa,  our  Genoa. 

82 


ACT  in.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

DOGE 
Well,  speak!  .  .  . 

BlANCA 

That  is  sooner  said  than  done.  [Pause. ,] 
Well  —  well  —  We  cannot  live  any  longer  in 
the  way  we  are  living ;  it  is  a  shame,  an  insupport- 
able horror.  All  the  people  are  rebelling  against 
the  conditions. 

[All  the  senators  interested,  approaching 
nearer  the  woman.] 

DOGE 
[Keenly  looking  at  Bianca.]     Who  says  so? 

BIANCA 

[To  the  Doge.~\  I  say  it,  and  with  me  every- 
body says  it,  and  especially  my  friends,  who  send 
me  here. 

CATTANEO  AND  PALLAVICINI 
[Looking  at  each  other.]     Ah! 

DOGE 
Your  friends?    Which  friends? 

BIANCA 

We  are  a  group  of  seven  or  eight  leaders.  As 
great  as  our  desire  is  to  dislodge  these  hated  Aus- 
trians,  what  can  we  do  separately  each  of  us  alone  ? 

83 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  m. 

Therefore  we  are  united,  and  we  have  sworn  mor- 
tal enmity  to  the  Austrians  and  are  determined  to 
send  them  away  at  any  sacrifice,  at  cost  even  of  our 
lives  1 

DOGE 

[With  much  dignity.]  We  all  think  like  you, 
my  child. 

BIANCA 

That's  well ;  thus  you  will  assist  me,  and  I  shall 
bring  good  news  of  your  assistance  to  my  friends. 

DOGE 

You  must  explain  yourself  better,  my  dear  girl; 
calm  yourself  and  explain  with  greater  clearness. 

BIANCA 

You  will  pardon  me.  I  am  but  a  woman  of  the 
people.  I  do  not  know  how  to  speak  well,  but  I 
think  that  in  moments  like  these,  all  of  us,  almost 
without  speaking,  must  understand  each  other. 

D'ORIA 
Truly!     You  say  well. 

BIANCA 

A  few  words  will  suffice.  [Lowering  her  voice 
after  looking  around  rapidly]  Our  small  group 
of  friends  which  assembles  in  an  inn  af  Sot- 
toripa  .  .  . 

84 


ACT  in.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

[Pallavicini  and  Cattaneo  contemporarily  and 
approaching  still  nearer  Bianca.~\  Ah! 

BIANCA 

{Continuing. ,]  .  .  .  almost  every  evening,  have 
thought  the  best  way  to  drive  out  these  Austrians, 
was  to  multiply  in  number,  so  from  few  to  be- 
come many,  making  propaganda  among  our  own 
friends  begging  them  to  do  in  their  turn  the  same 
with  theirs,  so  now  we  have  truly  risen  to  many, 
many  who  think  in  the  same  way  and  do  but  await 
the  opportunity  to  attack  the  Austrians  and  force 
them  out  once  for  all.  .  .  . 

CENTURIONE 

Certainly  there  will  never  be  want  of  oppor- 
tunities. 

BIANCA 

Certainly  not.  Two  evenings  ago  we  decided 
not  to  lose  any  more  time,  the  unpleasant  affair 
of  San  Giorgio  had  over-exasperated  us. 

DOGE 

[Thoughtless.]  Oh,  there  are  still  other 
things  in  store. 

BIANCA 

[Lively']     Other  things?    And  what  still? 
85 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  ra. 

DOGE 

\Who  remembers  that  he  cannot  speak  of  what 
has  been  discussed  in  Council.]  Sufficient  motive 
in  what  you  already  know,  dear  child,  quite 
enough ! 

D'ORIA 

And  now  then  what  have  you  decided  in  your 
assembly? 

BIANCA 

We  want  to  move,  to  act,  to  provoke  as  soon 
as  possible  an  insurrection  .  .  .  more  arms  we 
shall  endeavour  to  get.  [Lowering  her  voice.] 
Some  we  have  already  stored  away  in  deep  cel- 
lars. 

FIESCHI 

And  if  the  Austrians  should  happen  to  find 
them? 

BIANCA 

From  those  cellars  no  Austrian  will  ever  come 
up  alive.  We  are  decided  to  be  rid  of  them ! 

LOMELLINI 
Noble  people. 

BIANCA 

We  hate  them,  honourable  Senator,  we  hate 
them,  and  when  the  people  hate,  you  know.  .  .  . 
But  it  is  not  enough  alone  to  know  how  to  die  for 

86 


ACT  in.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

a  sacred  cause,  it  is  necessary  also  to  know,  how 
to  win  .  .  .  and  of  this  we  are  not  so  confi- 
dent. .  .  . 

DEFORNARI 

If  you  are  so  many  .  .  . 

BlANCA 

We  are  many,  it  is  true,  but  also  so  are  the 
Austrians  many,  and  our  centre  from  which  the 
orders  will  issue,  does  not  wish  to  bring  about 
a  slaughter  of  Genoese  without  its  result  achieved ! 

DOGE 

If  all  is  so  undecided,  I  do  not  see,  in  what  way 
our  help  can  be  useful  to  you.  .  .  . 

BlANCA 

Oh!  Serenissime,  in  this,  we  are  undecided 
whether  the  Senate  is  favourable  to  our  move- 
ment ...  if  it  is  against  us,  then  all  our  efforts 
are  in  vain  .  .  .  the  Austrians  at  our  first  move 
will  answer  by  annihilating  us  ...  if  the  Sen- 
ate is  not  with  us,  well,  then  all  is  lost.  If  on 
the  contrary,  it  is  with  us  we  can  feel  that  at  the 
right  moment  it  will  intervene,  and  we  shall  now 
struggle  on  and  hold  out  with  great  resistance 
until  all  the  others  will  have  time  to  join ;  I  mean  to 
say,  every  Genoese,  all  the  citizens  ...  all  ... 
all.  .  .  . 

8? 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  in. 

DOGE 

Well,  now  you  know,  understand,  we  are  with 
you  .  .  .  and  not  .  .  . 

BIANCA 

I  know  that,  for  who  could  be  Genoese  and 
not  be  with  us  ...  but  this  is  not  sufficient  to 
us. 

DOGE 
I  do  not  understand.  .  .  . 

BIANCA 

I  mean  ...  I  require  something  substantial, 
something,  say  in  writing  —  some  sign  —  some- 
thing to  show  to  my  friends  ...  to  prove  to  them 
without  a  trace  of  doubt  that  the  Senate  is  with 
us.  ...  Ours  is  a  grave  responsibility;  and  we 
want  to  be  quite  sure  that  we  do  not  lead  our 
fellow-men  into  slaughter  .  .  .  words  are  good 
enough  .  .  .  very  good  .  .  .  but  not  sufficient 
.  .  .  they  are  but  words.  .  .  . 

DOGE 

However,  you  will  have  to  be  contented  with 
them.  We  cannot  do  more. 

BIANCA 

But  I  cannot  be  contented  with  them.  What 
proof  have  I  to  bring  to  my  friends  and  they  to 

88 


ACT  in.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

the  others,  that  the  Senate  is  with  us  ?  We  have 
too  much  at  stake  to  march  without  a  secure  guar- 
antee. No,  no,  we  need  clear  evidence  of  the 
adherence  of  the  Senate,  otherwise  it  is  a  crime 
for  us  to  move. 

DOGE 

\Whiht  the  Senators  anxiously  follow  the  dia- 
logue.] Hear,  my  child.  It  is  difficult  to  answer 
you  clearly,  though  you  seem  to  be  a  very  clever 
girl  for  one  of  the  popular  classes.  However,  I 
shall  try  to  make  myself  understood.  Well,  the 
Senate  is  bound  by  the  act  of  Capitulation  to  re- 
spect the  domination  of  the  Austrians.  Our 
clearly  and  directly  agreeing  to  an  insurrection 
here  would  be  a  transgression  of  the  signed  con- 
ditions. Therefore  we  cannot  give  you  any  writ- 
ten proof  of  our  approbation  which,  however, 
you  can  rely  on.  You  may  trust  us.  Your 
scheme  once  well  set  on  foot  we  shall  intervene. 
Rely  on  that. 

BIANCA 

[Tossing  her  head.~\  You  did  not  understand 
me  well.  It  does  not  regard  me  personally,  I  am 
here  alone  to  listen  to  your  beautiful  words.  It 
is  on  account  of  the  others,  who  sent  me.  The 
difficulties  for  me,  a  woman,  to  have  a  hearing 
from  you,  are  so  great,  that  none  of  my  friends 

89 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  in. 

will  ever  credit  my  having  overcome  them.  How 
can  it  be  expected,  that  under  these  conditions  my 
word  should  suffice  to  assure  my  companions  that 
I  obtained  your  agreement  ?  They  will  never  be- 
lieve me.  I  need  a  more  evident  proof,  that  I 
fulfilled  this  mission  entrusted  to  me. 

FIESCHI 

[A  little  ironically. ~\  Your  friends'  mistrust 
could  be  ours  too.  You  ask  of  us  an  evident  sign 
of  our  promise,  but,  who  confirms  us  that  you 
really  are  part  of  the  group  you  speak  of,  and 
that  these  pretended  meetings  in  an  inn  of  Sot- 
toripa  really  take  place?  \Cattaneo  and  Pal- 
lavicini  make  a  rapid  move  as  if  they  desired  to 
speak,  but  Fieschi,  by  a  look,  stops  them,  and  con- 
tinues.] For  instance,  you  did  not  even  tell  us 
your  name ! 

BlANCA 

{With  confidence.]  Bianca  Marsano.  But 
my  name  is  of  no  importance.  I  am  nobody,  but 
with  us  there  is  another,  whose  name  may  be 
more  valuable  to  you,  and  he  can  confirm  the 
seriousness  of  our  plan:  that  is  Giacomo  Lomel- 
lini! 

AGOSTINI  LOMELLINI 

My  son? 

90 


ACT  in.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

BlANCA 

Yes.  He  belongs  to  our  group,  he  is  one  of  the 
most  esteemed  and  most  fervent  members. 

LOMELLINI 
But  why  did  he  not  come  himself? 

BlANCA 

Our  band  is  for  the  most  part  composed  of 
folk  of  the  people.  You,  honourable  Senators, 
could  have  doubted  perhaps  that  he  belongs  to 
us,  that  we  should  have  admitted  him.  But, 
[joining  her  hands  as  in  act  of  prayer]  honoura- 
ble Senators,  you  do  not  understand,  that  out  of 
doubts  and  doubt,  out  of  suspicions  and  suspicion 
you  arrive  at  total  inaction,  whilst  time  urges  ac- 
tion. Do  you  not  feel  that  in  my  words  there  is 
a  fever  burning,  that  should  prove,  that  I  am  tell- 
ing you  the  truth,  and  that  I  ask  for  assistance 
in  all  sincerity?  Cannot  you  understand  that 
every  instant  counts,  that  time  is  precious,  and 
that  you  must  not  say  NO  to  my  demand  under 
pain  of  inflicting  a  very  great  wrong  on  the  city? 

DOGE 

My  child,  every  determination  of  ours  is  grave 
just  for  that.  If  the  movement  should  not  suc- 
ceed, we  shall  then  have  inflicted  a  wrong,  a  far 
greater  wrong,  on  our  poor  Genoa. 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  in. 
BlANCA 

Well,  let  us  see,  what  proof  you  could  hand 
me  for  my  friends  which,  without  compromising 
you  too  gravely,  would  content  my  companions. 

[A  deep  silence;  in  which  all  meditate,  how  to 
solve  the  problem.] 

BlANCA 

[At  last,  with  a  little  cry  of  triumph.]  I  have 
it!  [Turning  to  Lomellini.~\  You,  honourable 
Senator,  write  one  word  only:  "Consent,"  and 
not  even  your  signature.  .Your  son  Giacomo 
knows  your  handwriting,  and  he  will  guarantee 
for  it  with  our  friends,  that  the  written  word  is 
authentic.  Besides,  the  paper  on  it  will  bear  the 
seal  of  the  Senate.  For  my  part,  I  promise  to 
destroy  the  sheet  as  soon  as  my  companions  have 
read  it.  Will  that  do? 

[A  short  silence,  in  which  the  Doge  consults 
with  his  eyes  the  senators.] 

DOGE 
What  do  the  Magnificent  Senators  say  to  this? 

D'ORIA 

I  think  that  the  medium  is  an  ingenious  one 
and  presents  for  the  Senate  little  or  no  danger. 
After  all,  the  moment  we  pass  through  is  so  criti- 
cal, that  perhaps  it  would  be  criminal  not  to  ac- 

92 


ACT  in.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

cept  this  lass's  intervention  as  some  providential 
succour.  We  said  here  but  shortly  since,  that 
we  could  not  hope  for  the  liberation  of  Genoa 
other  than  through  the  people's  aid.  Welcome 
be  its  aid  then,  to  which  we  cannot  deny  ours. 
And  how  can  we  decline  it  knowing  what  tragical 
menace  hourly  awaits  Genoa?  The  compromise 
of  the  signed  capitulation  binds  us  no  longer. 
The  Austrians  now  ask  from  us  a  great  deal  more 
than  has  been  granted  by  us  in  that  act.  They 
create  a  new  condition,  which  we  must  answer  in 
kind.  We  are  therefore  free  to  act  as  we  please, 
and  I  consider  we  are  acting  here  with  utmost 
prudence. 

THE  SENATORS 

[Murmuring  approbation.]  Bravo  .  .  . 
Bravo ! ! 

DOGE 

I  am  happy  to  submit  to  the  concord  and  fa- 
vourable judgment  of  the  Magnificent  Senator's 
judgment,  which  is  also  mine.  [Turning  to 
Lomellini.~\  I  authorise  you  then  to  write  the 
word  suggested  by  the  Marsano. 

LOMELLINI 

[Going  to  the  table  to  write.]  So  be  it. 
[Seats  himself  at  the  table  and  writes,  seals  the 

93 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  in. 

document  with  the  State's  Seal,  then  hands  the 
paper  to  Bianca,  who  is  beaming  with  joy.~] 

BlANCA 

[ Taking  it.~\     That  God  may  help  us  I 

DOGE 

[Approving  her  words  with  a  sign  of  the  head.] 
Now  you  may  go,  my  child. 

[Bianca  makes  a  profound  bow  to  the  Doge 
and  exits. ,] 

[After  she  has  gone  a  long  silence  follows. 
Then  the  Doge  moves  slowly  and  with  difficulty 
from  the  throne,  whilst  the  senators  open  a  way 
for  him] 

DOGE 

I  think  we  have  done  nothing  reprovable.  At 
all  events  as  that  woman  of  the  people  says :  Now 
may  God  help  us ! 

CURTAIN 


94 


FOURTH  ACT 

Scene  same  as  first  act. 

Giacomo,  who  has  just  entered  the  half-dark- 
ened inn,  looks  around,  and  not  seeing  anybody 
goes  towards  the  little  door  of  the  back-shop  to 
call  Baciccia. 

At  this  moment  enter  Bianca  closing  in  a  hurry 
the  door  behind  her.  Giacomo  on  hearing  the 
squeak  of  the  door  turns  round  and  seeing  Bianca 
goes  towards  her.  Bianca  is  dressed  as  in  the 
first  act  as  a  girl  of  the  people. 

Bianca  has  not  moved  from  the  door,  which 
she  has  again  slightly  opened  and  is  watching  cau- 
tiously what  is  happening  in  the  street. 

GIACOMO 

[Touching  her  shoulder  slightly.]  What  are 
you  doing?  What  is  happening? 

BIANCA 

[Does  not  answer  immediately,  being  too  much 
absorbed  in  watching.  At  last  shutting  the  door 
she  turns  to  Giacomo. ~\  This  time  I  am  sure  I 
have  been  followed. 

95 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  iv. 

GIACOMO 
Everything  is  possible,  but  by  whom? 

BIANCA 

By  an  Austrian  officer.  Two  evenings  ago,  you 
remember  it  seemed  to  me  I  was  followed,  but 
then  the  wretch  disappeared.  Not  so  this  eve- 
ning, and  I  could  do  nothing  to  make  him  lose  my 
track. 

GIACOMO 
But  who  is  he  ?    What  does  he  look  like  ? 

BIANCA 

But  I  have  told  you  already  —  he  is  an  Austrian 
officer,  and  I  cannot  quite  make  out,  whether  he 
follows  me  for  political  reasons  or  for  .  .  .  some- 
thing else. 

GIACOMO 

[Irate.]  Dog!  .  .  .  You  see,  you  see,  to  what 
you  expose  yourself.  Now  that  I  am  aware  who 
you  are  .  .  .  Bianca  ...  I  really  don't  know, 
whether  it  is  right  to  allow  you,  a  woman,  to  con- 
tinue in  such  a  dangerous  role. 

BIANCA 

One  thing  is  certain,  if  we  are  to  succeed  in 
our  purpose,  we  must  be  exposed  to  some  risk. 
After  all  if  it  is  question  only  of  myself  ...  if 
it  is  only  I  who  am  in  danger,  be  I  only  a  woman 

96 


ACT  iv.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

I  will  know  how  to  defend  myself  [takes  out  a 
pistol]  you  see,  it  is  he  or  I  —  alive  he  would 
never  get  me.  .  .  . 

GIACOMO 
[Alarmed.']     If  you  think  so  to  reassure  me  ... 

BlANCA 

It  would  be  much  worse,  if  the  Austrian  should 
want  to  discover  our  assemblies  here,  having  had 
a  hint  from  somebody  .  .  .  but  I  suppose  in  that 
case  he  would  act  more  discreetly.  Besides,  we 
are  at  the  end  of  our  work  —  events  urge.  .  .  . 

GIACOMO 
I  know  it. 

BIANCA 

I  have  one  satisfaction,  the  mission  I  assumed 
I  have  fulfilled.  [Shows  him  the  paper  from  the 
Senate.]  Here  is  the  adhesion  of  the  Senate  to 
our  movement  for  liberation. 

GIACOMO 

But  in  what  way,  how  on  earth  have  you  ob- 
tained it? 

BIANCA 

[Smiling.']  In  the  most  simple  way  and  with- 
out running  any  risk.  I  went  to  the  Palace  of 
the  Duke  and  I  stirred  up  such  a  hubbub  that  I 

97 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  iv. 

succeeded  in  forcing  my  way  into  the  Council. 
Because  of  my  costume  they  believed  me  to  be 
a  woman  of  the  people  associated  with  a  group 
of  patriots  conspiring  for  the  liberation  of  Genoa, 
and  at  last  they  surrendered  to  my  insistent 
prayer.  .  .  . 

GIACOMO 

[Looking  at  her  as  in  a  dream,  with  aston- 
ishment.] And  are  they  with  us,  with  the  peo- 
ple? 

BIANCA 

Not  openly,  but  I  believe,  that  at  the  right  mo- 
ment we  can  reckon  on  them.  I  asked  for  a  writ- 
ten proof,  they  did  not  want  to  give  it  because,  of 
course,  they  do  not  want  to  compromise  them- 
selves, but  then  we  found  a  way  out,  which  I  hope 
will  satisfy  everybody. 

GIACOMO 

You  have  done  wonderfully,  you  are  wonderful. 
[/5  looking  at  the  envelope  which  Bianca  gives 
him.]  Indeed,  it  is  really  the  Seal  of  the  Senate. 

BIANCA 
So  you  recognise  it? 

GIACOMO 

I  should  say  so ! 

98 


ACT  iv.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

BlANCA 

Will  you  not  open  the  paper? 

GIACOMO 

I  think  it  better  that  the  others  too  should  be 
given  a  chance  to  recognise  the  unbroken  seal. 

BlANCA 

You  are  right.     [Seats  herself."] 

GIACOMO 
Of  course,  my  father  was  there  too? 

BlANCA 

Of  course  —  it  is  he  who  wrote  the  word 
which  counts;  to  get  it,  I  had  to  content  myself, 
that  it  should  not  be  signed,  but  you  will  be  able 
to  authenticate  the  handwriting  to  the  others,  if 
needful,  but  I  hardly  believe  it  will  become  neces- 
sary any  longer  to  show  this  hard-gotten  docu- 
ment. It  may  be  of  no  importance  whatever  any 
more,  now  since  the  enemy  has  in  mind  this  new 
deviltry  of  bearing  away  our  cannon. 

GIACOMO 
I  know  their  scheme,  but  they  won't  succeed. 

BlANCA 

I  heard  the  news  after  leaving  the  Council. 
The  Senators  must  already  have  known  it,  other- 

99 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  iv. 

wise  they  would  not  have  yielded  to  my  urgent 
persisting.  Through  us  they  arrive  at  their  last 
and  only  way  of  salvation. 

GlACOMO 

True.  Relief  can  come  only  —  by  will  of  the 
people. 

BIANCA 

It  is  probably  how  they  reasoned  at  the  Sen- 
ate; they  have  done  their  all  to  help  us,  and  now 
we  must  do  the  rest  of  the  work.  We  must  never 
let  our  cannon  be  dragged  away. 

GlACOMO 

I  repeat;  they  will  not  take  them  away;  wildest 
indignation  is  general;  the  people  are  all  aflame, 
they  will  fight  to  the  last  man  rather  than  give  in 
to  that. 

BIANCA 

I  think  as  you  do.  I  looked  in  at  all  the  inns; 
but  this  time  not  to  add  adherents  to  the  cause, 
there  was  no  need  of  it.  They  were  saying  that 
a  cannon  will  cross  the  Via  Portoria  to-morrow 
after  sun-set  to  be  taken  out  of  town  afterwards 
by  the  gate  of  the  Lanterna.  And  it  is  agreed, 
everybody  will  meet  in  Portoria.  We  all,  every 
one  of  us,  will  be  there.  Probably  we  have  some 
ill  moments  ahead,  but  the  Austrians  will  pass 
worse  ones  still. 

100 


ACT  iv.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

GlACOMO 

[Alarmed.]  It  is  useless  for  you  to  come  to 
Portoria.  We  shall  already  be  in  large  number 
.  .  .  and  you  are  a  woman.  .  .  .  Don't  you  real- 
ise now  to  what  a  woman  is  exposed,  who  goes 
around  alone  in  the  streets  ? 

BIANCA 

I  have  already  given  you  my  answer  on  that 
score. 

GIACOMO 

But  your  presence  there  will  be  really  harmful, 
if  anything,  you  will  be  a  hindrance  to  us.  To 
guard,  perhaps  to  save  you,  we  shall  be  obliged 
to  neglect  other  duties  that  have  to  be  done. 

BIANCA 

[Red  with  indignation.]  I  should  not  be 
there?  I?  I?  I  should  have  incited  you  all 
from  the  beginning  to  meet  the  most  serious  dan- 
gers for  our  Genoa,  and  then  should  quietly  stay 
at  home,  away  from  all  dangers  myself?  Oh, 
Giacomo,  is  that  what  you  think  of  me,  and  you 
dare  encourage  me  to  such  cowardice? 

GIACOMO 

I  repeat;  what  use  can  your  presence  down 
there  be? 

101 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  iv. 

BIANCA 

Chi  lo  sa  ?  Somebody  at  the  last  moment  may 
lack  initiative,  or  audacity  and  then,  I  swear  it 
to  you,  it  will  be  I  who  will  stir  things  up.  Be- 
sides, Giacomo,  would  you  wish  perhaps  to  de- 
prive me  of  the  most  beautiful  spectacle  of  my 
life  —  that  of  seeing  these  Austrians  driven  out  of 
our  city? 

GIACOMO 

You  are  not  alone  in  the  world,  think  —  think 
of  your  father  I 

BIANCA 

My  father  whatever  happens,  would  be  the 
first  to  approve,  he,  just  like  I,  we  hate  the  Aus- 
trians. But  even  should  he  not  approve,  what 
then?  You  see,  Giacomo,  I  have  often  thought 
of  late  of  that  little  verse  of  the  Gospel :  "  Thou 
shalt  leave  thy  mother  and  thy  father  to  follow 
Me."  And  it  has  seemed  to  me  to  apply  to  our 
duty  towards  our  Country.  All  our  affections 
must  be  centred  in  her  and  we  must  think  only  of 
her ;  only  to  be  at  her  service. 

GIACOMO 

This  seals  my  lips ;  how  now  can  I  entreat  you 
to  listen  to  my  prayer  .  .  .  and  yet  I  have  a 
right  to  say  it  ...  now  that  I  know  that  noth- 
ing divides  us  —  I  have  courage  now  to  tell  you 

102 


ACT  iv.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

that  my  name,  my  life,  everything  mine,  is  yours 
.  .  .  yours  .  .  .  [taking  the  girl  passionately  in 
his  arms]  yours  .  .  .  yours.  ...  I  love  you.  .  .  . 
I  love  you  ...  all  you.  .  .  . 

BIANCA 

[Allowing  him  to  seize  her  in  his  arms.]  I  too 
.  .  .  Giacomo  .  .  .  why  delay  the  admission? 
I  cannot  hide  my  love  from  you.  ...  I  too  love 
you,  and  long  only  to  be  yours  forever  more.  .  .  . 

GIACOMO 
Mine.  .  .  .  Mine  for  ever.  .  .  . 

BIANCA 

Yes.  .  .  .  Yes,  I  love  you.  ...  I  have  always 
loved  you  .  .  .  but  not  even  our  new  found  hap- 
piness can  make  me  forget  —  not  even  for  this 
moment  —  the  inexorable  hatred  I  have  sworn  to 
the  Austrians  and  the  sacred  obligation  to  serve 
my  Country  at  this  hour  with  all  the  force  that 
is  mine  .  .  .  to-day  everything  must  be  sacrificed 
for  Country.  Later  in  better  days,  if  we  come 
out  of  this  struggle  alive,  I  promise  fervently  to 
be  yours  .  .  .  your  wife.  .  .  . 

GIACOMO 

[Pressing  her  to  him  passionately.]  My  love, 
my  great,  my  only  love. 

103 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  iv. 

[They  remain  embraced.  The  door  squeaks 
and  enter  two  Austrian  officers,  who  take  note  of 
their  embrace.  They  look  around  suspiciously 
searching  every  nook  and  corner,  and  their  sus- 
picion fastens  especially  on  Bianca.~\ 

\Bianca  and  Giacomo  having  exchanged  a  rapid 
glance  of  understanding  approach  quite  naturally 
to  the  counter  calling  out:~\ 

BlANCA   AND   GlACOMO 

Hey,  there,  is  there  nobody  about? 

[The  two  officers  seat  themselves  at  a  small 
table  placed  at  the  end  of  the  room  and  from 
there  they  overlook  everything.] 

FIRST  OFFICER 
Ohe,  mine  host.  .  .  . 

\Eaciccia  appearing  from  his  back-shop  finds 
himself  in  front  of  Bianca  and  Giacomo,  who  give 
him,  a  rapid  hint  to  be  careful,  and  he  therefore 
answers  them  in  the  tone  of  a  host  speaking  to 
casual  guests.] 

BACICCIA 
You  desire? 

GIACOMO 
Some  Polcevera. 

BIANCA 
A  warm  drink. 

104 


ACT  iv.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

FIRST  OFFICER 

[Impatiently.]  Ay,  host,  how  often  have  we 
to  call  you? 

BACICCIA 
Here  I  am. 

[Bianca  and  Giacomo  have  seated  themselves 
at  a  table  at  the  end  of  the  room,  so  as  to  observe 
the  two  officers.] 

BACICCIA 

[After  having  served  the  two,  advances  slowly 
towards  the  Austrian*,  dragging  his  slippers.] 
You  desire  ? 

FIRST  OFFICER 
Some  red  wine ! 

BACICCIA 

Immediately.     [Returns  to  the  counter.] 
[A  silence,  during  which  the  two  officers  keep 
an  eye  on  Bianca,  and  then  in  low  voice.] 

SECOND  OFFICER 
[Addressing  the  other.]     Is  it  she? 

FIRST  OFFICER 

[Shrugging  his  shoulders  in  sign  of  having 
doubts.]  It  is  rather  difficult  to  recognise  her, 
dressed  as  she  is  now. 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  iv. 

GlACOMO 

[  Taking  advantage  of  the  noise  which  he  makes 
by  touching  the  bottle  with  the  glass.~\  Is  it  he? 

[Bianca  affirms  with  an  imperceptible  move- 
ment of  her  head.] 

[Baciccia  serves  the  wine  to  the  officers  and  re- 
turns to  his  counter.] 

FIRST  OFFICER 

[Raging.']  We  are  in  a  nice  scrape.  We 
should  identify  her!  It  is  easily  said.  I,  for 
my  part,  have  only  seen  her  but  a  few  times,  when 
I  was  on  guard,  and  then  she  was  dressed  like 
a  queen.  The  Marshal  himself  ought  to  come 
here  to  see,  whether  she  is  his  niece,  or  not. 

SECOND  OFFICER 

And  if  it  is?  To  arrest  the  others  and  not 
her,  would  be  awkward.  To  arrest  her  together 
with  these  rascals  would  be  another  and  much 
worse  mistake.  The  niece  of  His  Excellency,  the 
Marshal,  involved  in  a  conspiracy,  what  a  scan- 
dal. .  .  .  One  can  understand  why  the  Marshal 
wanted  every  precaution  taken  before  proceed- 
ing. .  .  . 

FIRST  OFFICER 

[In  a  rage.~\  They  have  put  us  in  a  nice  pickle. 
.  .  .  How  shall  we  come  out  of  it?  To  say  that 

1 06 


ACT  iv.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

it  is  she,  I  cannot  for  sure.  .  .  .  True,  there  is 
a  certain  resemblance ;  but  for  me  to  assert  down- 
right, that  it  is  she,  is  impossible. 

SECOND  OFFICER 

If  you  believe  it  is  not,  let  us  arrest  and  con- 
duct her  to  the  Marshal.  He  himself  has  to  de- 
cide. Anyhow,  we  certainly  are  in  a  den  of 
brigands  here.  Notice,  how  those  two  take  to 
one  another,  and  yet  apparently  they  do  not  be- 
long to  the  same  classes  of  society.  Did  you  no- 
tice their  embrace  on  our  entrance  —  look  like  an 
ordinary  pair  of  lovers. 

FIRST  OFFICER 

And  then  arrest  her?  And  we  have  no 
proofs;  if  she  happens  to  be  the  niece  of  the  Mar- 
shal our  epaulettes  are  gone. 

SECOND  OFFICER 
Let  us  skilfully  question  the  host. 

FIRST  OFFICER 

He  looks  to  be  too  sly  to  be  caught.  He  is  a 
great  rogue,  I  warrant!  Don't  you  see  it  in  his 
face?  He  will  say  nothing,  but  will  try  to  de- 
ceive us.  The  best  we  can  do  is  to  refer  the 
matter  to  the  Marshal.  Wait  here  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood. It  is  but  a  short  distance  from  here, 

107 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  iv. 

where  he  is  to  be  found,  and  he  himself  can  come 
and  decide  what  is  to  be  done. 

SECOND  OFFICER 
Do  what  you  like,  it  is  you,  who  commands. 

FIRST  OFFICER 

[In  a  fury."]  He  shall  try  himself  to  recognise 
her !  Besides,  we  shall  thus  give  time  to  the  oth- 
ers to  arrive.  We  shall  get  a  better  netful.  My 
orders  are  exact,  everybody  is  to  be  arrested,  the 
inn-keeper  included.  But  here  we  have  the  mess 
with  regard  to  her.  .  .  .  Believe  me,  let  us  refer 
to  ... 

SECOND  OFFICER 

Oh!  As  for  me.  .  .  .  [Calling.]  Halloo, 
inn-keeper  1 

BACICCIA 

[Comes,  always  dragging  his  slippers."]  You 
desire  ? 

FIRST  OFFICER 
[Ironically.']     Few  customers  to-night  I 

BACICCIA 
[Circumspectly.]     It's  early  yet. 

SECOND  OFFICER 

And  when  come  the  many  ? 
1 08 


ACT  iv.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

BACICCIA 

[As  above.]  It  depends  .  .  .  according  to 
the  times  .  .  .  whether  they  have  money  in  their 
pocket. 

FIRST  OFFICER 

[Contemptuously.]  According  to  you  they  are 
all  poor  people.  .  .  .  There  never  come  rich  peo- 
ple here? 

BACICCIA 

They  don't  seem  to  ...  what  would  they  do 
here  ?  Rich  people  have  their  coffee-houses. 

FIRST  OFFICER 

[Pointing  out  by  a  sign  of  his  chin  Giacomo, 
and  always  haughtily]  And  yet  that  one  there 
does  not  look  either  like  a  workman  or  as  if  he 
belonged  to  the  lower  class. 

BACICCIA 

[Promptly.]  That  is  a  student,  and  every- 
body knows  that  students  like  artists  go  wherever 
they  like.  .  .  . 

SECOND  OFFICER 
[Haughtily.]     And  .  .  .  she? 

BACICCIA 

[As  above]  She  is  a  giddy-headed  girl;  she 
sells  vegetables  —  fruits,  etc.,  she  owns  a  small 

109 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  iv. 

shop.  .  .  .   [Winking  slightly.']     They  flirt  a  lit- 
tle ...  they  are  young.  .  .  . 

FIRST  OFFICER 

[To  the  other.']  Ay  I  ...  As  you  said. 
[Gets  up  and  with  him  the  other  throws  a  coin 
on  the  table  and  clanking  his  spurs  goes  out,  fol- 
lowed by  the  other.] 

[When  they  are  gone  a  cautious  silence  is  ob- 
served. Then  the  three  gather  in  a  group,  front 
stage.] 

GlACOMO 

[To  the  other  two.]  Did  you  understand 
them? 

BACICCIA 

That  what  I  did  not  understand  I  guess.  [To 
Bianca  grasping  her  hand  and  pressing  it 
strongly.']  Brave  girl. 

BIANCA 
And  now? 

GIACOMO 
We  must  go  away,  the  sooner  the  better. 

BIANCA 

We  have  yet  some  minutes.  At  any  rate  we 
must  await  our  companions.  Not  being  advised 
they  would  be  arrested  all  together  —  besides, 
here  they  are.  [She  looks  at  the  door  which 

no 


ACT  iv.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

opens  but  instead  of  the  companions  she  sees  an 
unknown  person,  a  short  man,  who  is  advancing 
rapidly  towards  them.] 

BlANCA 

[In  low  voice  to  Baciccia]     Who  is  he  ? 

BACICCIA 

[Who  too  looks  at  the  new-comer,  and  recog- 
nising him,  says:]  No  fear,  it  is  Gigio,  the  bar- 
ber, a  friend. 

GIGIO 

{Coming  rapidly  towards  Baciccia.]  Baciccia, 
one  word. 

BACICCIA 

You  may  speak  freely.  [Pointing  to  the  other 
two.]  We  are  among  friends.  Only  be  quick, 
we  have  no  time  to  spare. 

GIGIO 

I  know,  it  is  exactly  this  I  came  for  .  .  .  you 
may  be  arrested  any  moment. 

BACICCIA 
This  we  know,  and  you,  how  do  you  know  it? 

GIGIO 

A  little  German  I  understand  by  now.  And  I 
heard  it  said  by  these  rascals  of  Austrians,  whom 

ill 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  iv. 

I  am  obliged  to  shave  in  my  shop  —  and  who  not 
even  pay  me —  Ah!  How  willingly  [makes  a 
gesture  as  to  cut  their  heads  off]  I  should  like 
to  shave  them  as  they  deserve.  But  they  do  not 
trust  me  and  always  come  in  threes.  Well,  they 
leapt  for  joy  this  morning  having  a  stroke  on 
hand,  and  I  just  burned  to  run  here  ...  in  or- 
der to  warn  you  .  .  .  but  I  did  not  dare  to  leave 
my  shop  before,  for  fear  of  rousing  their  suspi- 
cions. ...  As  soon  as  I  was  able  I  hurried 
here. 

GIACOMO 
We  all  thank  you.  .  .  . 

GIGIO 

You  may  thank  me  if  you  put  yourselves  in 
safety  without  losing  any  time  ...  we  must  be 
many  to-morrow  in  Portoria. 

BlANCA 

Yes,  truly  ...  but  we  must  await  our  friends. 
Good,  here  they  are. 

GIGIO 

I  entreat  you,  not  to  linger  .  .  .  you  have  not 
a  minute.  [Exit.] 

[Rolla,  Roca,  Giacobini,  Massa,  Pastore, 
Beppe,  Balilla  enter.] 

112 


ACT  iv.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

GlACOMO 

[Alarmed."]     How  imprudent  to  come  like  this 
all  together! 

ROLLA 
We  have  but  just  met  at  the  door. 

BlANCA 

And  you  did  not  see  anybody?     Has  anybody 
seen  you? 

BALILLA 

Nobody.     Besides,  every  precaution  is  useless 
to-night.     To-morrow  we  all  meet  in  the  square. 

GlACOMO 
That's  why  you  must  be  wary  to-night. 

BEPPE 

They  shan't  take  our  cannon  away,  I  warrant 
you.  .  .  .  We  shall  be  there  to  defend  it. 

ROLLA 
The  people  are  no  longer  to  be  held. 

GIACOBINI 

There  is  the  greatest  excitement;  scarcely  is  a 
crowd  dispersed  another  forms. 

ROCA 

The    rendez-vous    is    in    Portoria.     All    my 
friends  will  be  there. 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  iv. 

ALL  THE  OTHERS  TOGETHER 
And  mine  .  .  .  and  mine.  .  .  . 

GIACOMO 

Very  well,  but  just  now  we  must  disperse.  And 
the  sooner  the  better,  we  may  get  arrested  any  mo- 
ment here. 

ALL  TOGETHER 

"How  is  that?" — "What  news  have  you?" 
— "-Why?"— 

BlANCA 

Two  Austrian  officers  have  just  left  this  place. 
Evidently*  they  know  about  our  meetings  .  .  . 
they  would  have  arrested  us,  if  ... 

GIACOMO 

[Intervening.]  In  a  few  words  ...  we 
have  scarcely  time  to  get  out  .  .  .  they  have  gone 
to  fetch  reinforcements.  .  .  . 

BEPPE 

They  will  arrive  too  late.  .  .  .  Only  let  me  tell 
you  one  word,  and  afterwards  we  shall  be  off. 
...  I  have  a  good  job  on  hand,  a  magnificent 
idea  .  .  .  besides  already  approved  of  by  my 
friends.  Listen!  [They  gather  still  closer 
around  him  and  always  in  low  voice."]  Listen! 
You  know  then,  that  to-morrow  after  sunset  one 

114 


ACT  iv.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

of  our  cannons  will  pass  by  the  Via  Portoria  to 
be  borne  away  by  the  Austrians.  .  .  .  Well,  we 
are  going  to  pass  this  night  in  loosening  the  stones 
of  the  pavement.  That  is  to  stop  the  cannon. 
What  do  you  think  of  my  idea  ? 

[All  in  chorus,  but  always  in  low  voice:] 
We  shall  all  be  there  to-night  to  help  you  and 
your  friends.  .  .  . 

BEPPE 

No,  no,  we  shall  be  already  many,  and  the  work 
must  be  done  quickly  and  with  skill  as  the  stones 
removed  must  be  loosely  replaced  again.  It 
would  help  us  more,  if  you  could  remain  about  the 
neighbourhood  and  warn  us,  if  you  see  the  enemy. 

GlACOMO 

It  remains  thus  agreed.  But  now  let  us  go; 
hurry  1 

BALILLA 
Let  us  go !     [Is  going  to  the  entrance-door] 

BlANCA 

Halt!  [She  runs  to  entrance-door  and  looks 
out,  quickly  bolts  the  door  and  with  her  back  to 
it  says:]  Not  out  this  way — they  may  be  ap- 
proaching. Pass  by  the  back-shop  door!  [To 
Baciccia  who  hesitates]  Yes,  you  too,  all! 
Only,  before  you  go  I  want  to  show  the  Senate's 

"5 


agreement;  [she  waves  it~\  and  I  give  it  to  Gia- 
como  to  show  to  you  later  and  the  people,  should 
they  still  wish  to  see  it.  You  men  are  needed  to- 
morrow, so  out  with  you  now  quickly,  escape! 
Quickly,  I  will  hold  them  at  bay  till  you  make  off. 
Away  all! 

BACICCIA 

Bravo,  brave  girl!     Bravo!     And  I  doubted 
her! 

ALL 

[In  hushed  tones. ~\     Brava!     Brava! 

[Exeunt  hurriedly  through  back-shop,  all  but 
Giacomo,  who  lingers  behind".] 

GIACOMO 
\To  Bianca.~\     You  must  come  with  us  1 

BIANCA 
{Resolutely. ~\     No,  I  remain  here. 

GIACOMO 
You  really  intend  to  remain? 

BIANCA 
Yes,  what  danger  can  I  be  exposed  to? 

GIACOMO 

[Highly  alarmed.]     But,  here  they  are  com- 
ing back  any  minute,  they  will  make  you  prisoner. 

116 


ACT  iv.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

BlANCA 

They  will  come  back  with  the  Marshal.  He 
will  come  to  convince  himself,  whether  I  am  really 
amongst  the  conspirators.  And  recognising  me 
he  will  not  run  the  risk  of  provoking  a  scandal. 
Also  for  my  father's  sake  he  will  be  wary  what 
he  does.  .  .  .  Therefore  it  is  better  I  remain. 
It  would  be  more  imprudent  to  return  home, 
where  they  can  closely  watch  for  me,  where  else 
can  I  be  expected  to  spend  the  night?  .  .  .  To 
me  it  matters  that  I  want  to  be  free  to-morrow ! 

GIACOMO 
[Beseechingly.]     I  entreat  you.  .  .  . 

BlANCA 

[Tossing  her  head]  It  is  useless  for  you  to 
insist,  time  urges,  this  is  no  time  for  arguing.  .  .  . 
Go !  I  beg  of  you,  they  must  be  near.  [Reso- 
lutely pushing  him  towards  the  door  of  the  back- 
shop.']  Go! 

[  The  entrance-door  is  tried  and  found  locked. 
A  knock  without.] 

GIACOMO 

[In  low  voice]  No,  I  remain.  I  shall  not 
leave  you  so. 

BlANCA 

[In  low  voice]  Foolish,  you  a  man  like  the 
others,  who  have  just  hurried  off,  are  needed  more 

117 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  iv. 

than  I  to-morrow.     Have  you  not  said  so  be- 
fore? 

[Shouts  from  without:  "  OPEN!  OPEN!  " 
pounding  is  heard. 

BIANCA 

Go,  if  you  love  me,  but  your  Country  first.  I 
am  safe  here ;  I  swear  it. 

[She  is  still  standing  back  to  the  now  heaving 
entrance-door;  then  rushes  towards  Giacomo,  em- 
bracing him  and  forcing  the  Senate's  paper  into 
his  hand,  pushes  him  into  the  back-shop,  then 
quickly  to  counter,  crossing  her  arms.] 

[A  pause. —  Then  the  entrance-door  of  the  inn 
breaks  in,  and  on  its  threshold  appears  the  Mar- 
shal with  the  two  above  mentioned  officers  —  sol- 
diers outside.'} 

MARSHAL 

[Looking  around.]     Nobody  here? 

[To  the  officers  jeeringly.]  And  this  the  den 
of  the  brigands?  [Seeing  Bianca.~\  Ah!  a 
woman.  ...  [To  the  officers.]  Is  that  the 
one? 

FIRST  OFFICER 

Yes,  your  Excellency. 

MARSHAL 

[To  Bianca.~\  Approach!  .  .  .  Are  you  alone? 
.  .  .  Where  are  the  others? 

118 


ACT  iv.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 
BlANCA 

I  am  alone. 

MARSHAL 

[Startled  by  the  sound  of  the  voice. ,]  What 
—  you  dare  say  — 

BIANCA 
That  I  am  alone.  .  .  . 

MARSHAL 
[In  rage]     Come  nearer!  .  .  .  Quickly!  .  .  . 

BIANCA 

{Taking  leisurely  a  few  steps  towards  the  Mar- 
shal.] Is  it  necessary  that  I  come  near  you, 
uncle,  for  you  to  recognise  me  ? 

MARSHAL 

[Highly  excited.']  You!!  In  truth.  You!! 
So  they've  really  told  me  the  truth.  .  .  .  You 
.  .  .  here  in  this  den  .  .  .  amongst  the  dregs 
.  .  .  and  in  that  costume  .  .  .  you  .  .  .  you.  .  .  . 
[Choking  in  rage.~\  Disgrace!!  Damnable!!! 

BIANCA 

[Calmly.]  Is  this  all  you  have  to  say  to  me, 
uncle  ? 

MARSHAL 

Answer  me,  where  are  the  others?  Who  are 
they?  Who  are  they? 

119 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  iv. 

BlANCA 

Where  they  are  ?     I  cannot  now  tell  you.  .  .  . 

MARSHAL 

This  is  no  time  for  making  fun ;  answer  quickly, 
where  are  they  .  .  .  who  your  .  .  .  [with  ut- 
most contempt]  .  .  .  your  jolly  fellows?  .  .  . 
Answer!  Or  I  shall  immediately  have  you  ar- 
rested. 

BIANCA 

Your  threatening  is  quite  useless,  uncle.  If  I 
do  not  wish  to  answer  you,  nothing  on  earth  can 
induce  me  to  do  it.  Fortunately,  I  am  ready  to 
answer  you;  you  wish  to  know,  who  my  com- 
panions are.  .  .  .  [Speaking  very  slowly  to  waste 
time.~\  Well,  .  .  .  amongst  them  .  .  .  there  is 
...  a  poet,  .  .  .  we  chose  .  .  .  him,  ...  so 
that,  when  .  .  .  the  .  .  .  Austrians  .  .  .  are 
.  .  .  driven  .  .  .  away  .  .  .  from  here,  he  shall 
sing  a  hymn  of  liberty.  And  amongst  them  there 
is  a  sculptor,  who  is  to  erect  a  monument  of  liberty 
more  lasting  than  bronze  itself.  And  with  us  is 
also  an  impoverished  stevedore,  who  has  joined  us, 
because  he  wants  his  beautiful  azure  Mediterran- 
ean free  .  .  .  and  further  there  is  with  us  a  mer- 
chant, who  is  rebelling  over  your  greedy  seizure 
of  his  goods,  and  he  is  therefore  striving  with  all 
his  might  for  the  liberty  of  trade  and  — 

1 20 


ACT  iv.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

MARSHAL 
[White  with  rage.~\     You  make  fun  of  me  ... 

BIANCA 

Oh,  no,  uncle,  I  narrate  nothing  but  the  truth, 
the  simple  and  pure  truth.  .  .  .  Ah !  no,  I  forgot, 
with  us  is  also  a  boy,  a  brave  boy  of  fourteen 
years,  all  fire  and  energy.  .  .  .  This  proves  also 
that  in  the  new  generation  too  there  is  a  sacred 
horror  of  your  oppression,  and  too  there  is  in- 
domitable hatred  of  the  Austrians !  1  I  told  you, 
uncle,  you  played  with  fire.  .  .  . 

MARSHAL 

\Who  is  frothing  with  rage  turning  to  the  offi- 
cers.] Arrest  her ! 

BIANCA 

[Stopping  with  a  look  the  officers,  who  advance 
one  step  towards  her.]  One  moment,  uncle, — 
Think  it  over  well  before  you  dare  to  have  me, 
your  niece,  touched  by  your  policemen.  .  .  .  Be- 
sides, the  disgrace  of  it  ...  remember  .  .  .  you 
came  here  to  get  a  netful  of  conspirators.  .  .  . 
And  instead  you  find  a  woman,  and  this  woman  is 
your  niece,  and  should  you  have  her  arrested  .  .  . 
so  as  not  to  return  from  your  noble  mission  with 
empty  hands,  don't  you  see  the  ridiculousness  of  it 
all,  you,  who  so  peacefully  allow  so  many  in- 

121 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  iv. 

famies  to  be  committed  in  your  name,  it  would 
certainly  be  painful  to  you  to  expose  yourself  to 
ridicule. 

MARSHAL 

[As  above.]     Arrest  her!  .  .  .  Take  her!  .  .  . 

[Again  the  officers  move  a  step  towards  Bianca, 
but  she  again  stops  them  with  a  look  and  an  im- 
perious gesture.] 

BlANCA 

[Suddenly  presents  a  pistol  and  points  it  to  her 
bosom.]  Take  care,  uncle,  you  will  not  get  me 
alive  .  .  .  death  does  not  frighten  me  ...  it  is 
not  taking  anything  from  me,  on  the  contrary,  it 
adds  a  glory,  that  you  do  not  know;  namely  that 
of  dying  for  an  ideal  .  .  .  but  I  am  not  alone 
.  .  .  and  my  father  will  ask  you  to  account  for 
me,  his  daughter,  who  is  ready  to  kill  herself,  be- 
cause you  forced  her  to  it.  ...  You  are  used  to 
stain  yourself  with  fraternal  blood  true  .  .  .  but 
not  to  this  point.  .  .  .  Believe  me  ...  let  me 
go.  ...  I  swear  to  you,  you  will  always  find  me 
ready  in  your  path  and  so  be  able  to  revenge  your- 
self without  trouble.  .  .  .  Now,  dead  or  alive  I 
should  give  you  some  .  .  .  far-reaching.  .  .  . 
LET  ME  GO!  .  .  . 

[The  officers  turn  to  the  marshal  as  if  for  in- 
structions.] 

122 


ACT  iv.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

MARSHAL 

[To  the  officers,  more  by  motion  of  hand  than 
by  words.]  Let  her  go ! 

BIANCA 

[Always  with  the  pistol  pointed  to  her  breast 
and  walking  backwards  to  the  entrance-door.'] 
[Before  disappearing  she  stops  on  the  sill  and  says 
ironically.']  Well  done,  uncle,  this  is  the  first 
time  you  have  acted  with  discretion.  .  .  . 

CURTAIN 


123 


FIFTH  ACT 

Various  groups  of  men  and  women  appear  on 
the  square  of  Portoria,  coming  from  the  heights 
of  Piccapietra  and  from  the  Hospital  hill.  Some 
groups  are  brought  here  by  Baciccia,  others  by 
Beppe,  others  by  Balilla.  Other  groups  formed 
by  people  of  the  middle  classes  are  led  by  Giacobini 
Past  ore,  Massa,  Rolla,  Roca.  Bianca  leads  a 
mixed  group,  mostly  women  grim-faced  and  threat- 
ening. Little  by  li.tle  the  groups  mix,  whilst  they 
exchange  in  low  excited  voices  words  and  queries. 

Giacomo  enters  from  the  opposite  side  to  Bi- 
anca. Scarcely  does  he  see  her,  than  he  makes  his 
way  by  force  through  the  crowd  to  join  her. 

A  MAN  OF  THE  PEOPLE 
[To  another,  after  having  looked  down  from 
the  ascent  of  Piccapietra.}     They  ought  to  be 
here. 

ANOTHER  MAN  OF  THE  PEOPLE 
It  is  still  early. 

THIRD  MAN  OF  THE  PEOPLE 
It  is  only  a  little  while  ago  they  left  Castelletto. 
124 


ACT  v.]     THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

A  WOMA.N 
The  cannon  will  never  go  back  there. 

ANOTHER  WOMAN 
Hein!     Then  we  shall  die  here. 

VARIOUS  VOICES  AS  IN  MANNER  TO  A  CALL 
Every  one  of  us !     Every  one  1 

GIACOMO 

[To  Bianca.~\  What  happiness  to  see  you 
again.  If  you  knew  what  terrible  hours  I  have 
passed!  .  .  . 

BIANCA 

It  is  our  lot  to  pass  such  —  but  now  the  great 
hour  has  come. 

GIACOMO 

[Looking  at  her  somewhat  In  dismay  and  some- 
what in  admiration.']  Always  indomitable ! 

BIANCA 
Always.  .  .  . 

GIACOMO 
How  did  you  settle  with  the  Marshal  ? 

BIANCA 

Very  well,  indeed.  I  told  him  so  much,  that  he 
finally  understood  that  the  most  reasonable  thing 
would  be  to  let  me  go.  .  .  . 

125 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  v. 

GlACOMO 

I  waited  for  you  here  the  whole  night.  .  .  . 
Not  meeting  you,  I  imagined  of  course  the  worst 
.  .  .  you  can  understand  in  what  anguish  I  have 
been. 

BIANCA 

I  could  not  come  to  join  you  here.  I  found 
refuge  with  one  of  my  humble  companions  of  faith. 
[Pointing  to  a  woman  of  the  people,  not  far  from 
her.] 

GlACOMO 

[Resolutely.']  Now  I  shall  never  leave  you 
again !  Never ! 

BIANCA 
Until  death.  .  .  . 

GlACOMO 

Oh,  Bianca !  .  .  . 

BIANCA 

[Giving  him  a  clear,  and  meaning  look.~\  I  say 
it,  Giacomo,  for  you  as  well  as  for  me. 

[During  the  dialogue  some  women  begin  in  low 
voice  to  sing  the  Paraphrases  of  the  "  Salve  Re- 
gina"  and  some  bits  of  verses  are  heard.~[ 

Del  ciel  Regina  Of  Heaven  the  Queen, 

Vergine  bella  Beautiful  Virgin 

Siete  la  Stella  Serene,  thou  art 

Del  nostre  Mar.  The  Star  of  our  sea. 

126 


ACT  v.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 


Misericordia 
fra  tanti  guai 

degnate  ormai 
con  noi  usar. 

Ad  te  clamamus 
Col  vostro  nome 

in  vita  e  in  morte 
la  nostra  sorte  ha  da 

regnar 

La  voce  adunque 
A  Voi  Maria 

Per  ogni  via 
Vogliamo  alzar. 

O  clemens 
O  quanto  siete 

Con  noi  clemente 
Lo  sa  la  gente 

Voi  provera 
Col  Vostro  braccio 

Vedra  atterrata 
D' Austria  1'armata. 

Trionfera.  .  .  . 


Midst  our  great 

woe  deign  thou 
to  us  mercy. 


In  Thy  name, 

In  life,  in  death 
Our  fate  doth  rest. 

To  Thee,  O  Maria, 
Whatever  betide, 

Our  voices 
We  raise. 


In  Thy  clemency  to  us, 

To  Thee  we  bind 
Our  Faith. 

By  Thy  aid, 
O'er  the  Austrian  arms 

Will  we, 
The  People, 

Triumph!  .  .  . 


[Faint  voices  of  a  crowd  are  heard,  approach- 
from  the  heights  of  Piccapietra.~\  They  come! 
They  come ! 

127 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  v. 

[  The  crowd  stirs  back  and  forth  obstructing  the 
houses  of  the  square.  Beppe  to  a  companion, 
pointing  to  turned  up  pavement  of  the  square 
proudly. ] 

BEPPE 

We  have  worked  all  night.  .  .  . 

THE  ONE  ADDRESSED 

[In  same  way.]  Now  we  will  see,  whether 
they  are  able  to  get  through. 

A  WOMAN  TO  ANOTHER 
We  have  done  well  to  pray  to  our  Holy  Virgin 
Maria.  .  .  . 

ANOTHER  WOMAN 

[With  conviction]  Truly,  and  the  most  Holy 
Virgin  Maria  will  help  us. 

A  MAN  OF  THE  PEOPLE 
[In  the  same  tone]     Yes;  she  must  help  us. 
Is  she  not  the  Protectress  of  the  city? 

ANOTHER  MAN 
Of  our  Genoa. 

ONE  OF  ANOTHER  GROUP 
[As  if  continuing  a  speech  begun]     Do  the 
poltroons  for  a  moment  think,  that  we  shall  allow 
them  to  take  away  our  cannons? 

128 


ACT  v.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

AGAIN  ONE  OF  A  THIRD  GROUP 
The  cursed  Austrians  trusted  too  much  in  the 
patience  of  the  Genoese  people. 

ANOTHER 
They  little  know  us. 

ANOTHER 

They  will  find  us  ready  here.  .  .  .  And  to- 
morrow; and  after  to-morrow! 

MASSA  TO  PASTORE 

[Pointing  out  the  crowded  square.]  What  an 
inspiring  sight  is  it  to  see  aroused  at  last  the 
temper,  the  might  of  an  outraged  people. 

PASTORE 
Truly!     It  is  worth  painting. 

BALILLA 
[To  Beppe,  rubbing  his  hands.]     I  have  never 

before  enjoyed  myself  so  much. 

i 
BEPPE 

There  is  more  diversion  ahead. 

[The  voices  from  afar  draw  nearer  and  in- 
tensify, and  becoming  distinct  one  hears  the  cry 
"  Let  us  pass  "  .  .  .  "  Let  us  pass  "  .  .  .] 

[The  crowd  moves  together  in  a  mass,  crying:] 

What  is  wrong?     What  is  the  matter?  .  .  . 
129 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE     [ACT  v. 

[Enter  a  number  of  people  surrounding  a  small 
group  of  men,  carrying  a  man  wounded  in  the 
head.  The  head  of  the  wounded  man  is  roughly 
bandaged  in  a  flag  which  hangs  down  his 
shoulders.  The  crowd  rushes  to  the  group 
interrogating:]  What  is  it?  What  has  hap- 
pened? 

[The  group  is  stopped  by  the  massing  of  the 
crowd.  One  of  them  narrates  excitedly :]  We 
are  taking  him  to  the  hospital.  These  renegades 
of  Austrians  did  it.  ...  They  cudgelled  him,  be- 
cause he  cried :  "  That  cannon  must  not  be  taken 
out  of  Genoa." 

ALL  IN  CHORUS 
And  it  shall  not  be.  ...  It  shall  not.  .  .  . 

GIACOMO 

[Pushing  through  the  crowd  and  placing  him- 
self before  the  wounded  man  removes  his  cap,  and 
says:]  I  greet  thee  in  the  name  of  all  of  us  here 
assembled,  in  the  name  of  the  People.  I  greet 
thee.  Thou  it  was,  who  first  courageously  saidst 
the  word  which  like  a  dreadful  cry  of  defence  and 
revenge  fills  with  courage  our  ardent  breasts  .  .  . 
and  we  thank  thee,  we  thank  thee  for  having  said 
it  ...  and  for  having  offered  thy  young  blood 
first  of  all  of  us  for  the  sacred  cause  .  .  .  our  ene- 
mies thought  of  doing  away  with  thee,  subduing 

130 


ACT  v.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

thee  forever  .  .  .  yet  in  the  fact  that  we  see  thee 
right  before  us  ...  bearing  the  flag  dyed  in  thy 
blood  is  to  us  an  incentive,  an  inspiration  now  to 
strive  on  ...  with  this  badge  of  honour  thou 
showest  the  way  to  the  people,  eager  to  obtain 
the  liberation  of  their  soil,  the  people  hungry  and 
thirsty,  who  in  themselves  are  stirred  by  the  inex- 
tinguishable craving  of  offering  their  blood  for 
the  ever  to  be  desired  end. —  Therefore  we  swear 
to  thee  here  and  now  to  dry  thy  mother's  tears, 
and  we  pledge  thee  that  revenge  and  victory  shall 
reach  her  ear  .  .  .  and  we  shall  ask  her  blessing 
as  she  will  bless  thee!  Men  and  women  of  the 
People!  Long  Live  Liberty!!! 

THE  CROWD  ANSWERS  WITH  A  FORMIDABLE 
ECHO: 

Long  Live  Liberty ! ! ! 

[Not  far  of  is  now  heard  the  approach  of  the 
rumbling  wheels  of  a  cannon.  The  crowd  listen- 
ing, suddenly  grows  silent,  as  if  preparing  for  the 
supreme  proof  .  .  .  then  separates  to  let  pass 
the  group  bearing  the  wounded  man,  which 
rapidly  disappears  towards  the  hospital.  Now 
commences  a  hurried  going  to  and  fro  of  the  peo- 
ple on  the  small  square,  rushing  here  and  there 
in  the  small  space  left  free  by  the  crowd  with- 
drawn against  the  houses, ,]  They  come  .  .  . 
They  come  .  .  .  they  come.  .  .  . 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  v. 

A  MAN'S  VOICE 

And  now  the  time  is  here  for  us.  .  .  . 
[Many,  especially  the  women,  make  the  sign  of 

the  cross  murmuring  prayers.     Again  one  hears 

the  name  of  the  Virgin  Mary] 

A  MAN'S  VOICE 

[Always  in  low  voice.]  For  our  sons  .  .  . 
for  our  life.  .  .  . 

OTHERS 

[As  consecrating  to  a  holy  promise.]  For  us 
and  for  our  children  —  Liberty ! ! ! 

[  The  cannon  appears  from  the  ascent  of  Picca- 
pietra  amidst  much  ado  of  tugging  and  holding  in 
check  by  ropes.  It  is  surrounded  by  Austrian 
soldiers  commanded  by  officers  with  drawn 
swords.  These  look  grimly  and  suspiciously  as 
they  note  the  dense  crowd  assembled  in  the  square. 
The  crowd  keeps  silence,  but  grows  more  com- 
pact. At  the  windows  overlooking  the  square, 
people's  heads  appear  as  if  to  witness  a  spectacle. 
In  the  meantime  the  cannon  with  much  pains  is 
jerked  along  the  torn-up  pavement  by  the  Austrian 
soldiers,  with  little  or  no  result,  whilst  in  the  crowd 
a  low  and  jesting  laugh  is  heard:  "  Ay,"  "  Ay." 

[Suddenly  the  cannon  comes  to  a  halt,  almost 
overturned,  and  in  spite  of  the  herculean  efforts 

132 


ACT  v.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

of  the  Austrian  soldiers  cannot  be  budged.  The 
officers  call  to  the  crowd,  commanding  imperi~ 
ously:~\  Quick!  Some  of  you  here  help,  be 
quick  about  it  now !  .  .  . 

[The  immovable  crowd  jeer  at  them  loudly. ,] 
Ahl  Ah!  Ah!  [The  officers  furiously  call:] 
Here,  here,  quick  now,  lend  a  hand ! 

[The  crowd  remains  immovable  and  laughs. 
The  officers  losing  their  patience  make  signs  to  the 
soldiers  to  go  at  them  with  the  sticks  which  they 
bear  in  their  hands.] 

[Then  Balilla,  who  has  climbed  on  the  rails  of 
a  balcony  with  a  rock  in  hand  hurls  it  violently  at 
a  group  of  soldiers,  as  he  cries  out  with  all  his 
might  — ]  Who  begins !  "  Che  1'inse  I  "  Who 
begins ! 

[  This  is  the  signal  of  the  fight  which  opens  be- 
tween the  soldiers  and  the  people.  The  people 
throw  stones,  paving  blocks,  anything  on  hand  at 
the  Austrians,  who  defend  themselves;  the  sol' 
diers  with  sticks  and  the  officers  with  swords. 
The  officers  make  an  attempt  to  push  the  people 
back  against  the  houses,  lunging  at  them  with  their 
swords. 

BlANCA 

\Who  has  boldly  advanced  towards  the  soldiers 
with  a  big  stone  in  her  hand,  cries  out:]  Come 

133 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  v. 

onl  Come  on  now,  people!  Now  is  the  time! 
At  them ! 

[Suddenly  Bianca  is  pierced  by  an  officer's  sword, 
(one  of  the  officers  of  the  inn)  which  transfixes  her 
despite  Giacomo,  who  on  rushing  towards  her,  see- 
ing her  danger,  had  tried  at  all  cost  to  parry  the 
sudden  thrust.  Bianca  falls  and  would  be 
trampled  on  by  the  maddened  fighting  crowd,  if 
Baciccia  and  Giacomo  did  not  succeed  by  agonis- 
ing effort  in  bearing  her  away,  and  propping  her 
against  a  neighbouring  house.  In  the  meantime 
the  people  cry  furiously]  "Liberty!"  "Death 
to  the  Austrians !  "  [and  by  great  exertions  and 
fury  master  the  soldiery,  pursuing  them  out  of  the 
square,  crying:]  VICTORY!  Victory!  Long 
Live  Liberty !  Long  Live  our  Genoa ! 

[The  cries  diminish  in  fury  as  the  crowd  in- 
creases the  distance  of  pursuit.  By  this  time  the 
square  is  almost  empty.  Baciccia,  Beppe,  and 
Giacomo  are  around  Bianca,  whom  they  have  lain 
on  the  ground  against  the  wall  of  the  house.] 

GIACOMO 

[Wild  in  sorrow  and  fright.]  Quick,  quick! 
In  God's  name  —  a  doctor. 

[Beppe  about  to  run  of  to  fetch  one — ;  but 
Bianca  says  in  a  feeble  voice.]  It  is  useless,  I 
die. 

134 


ACT  v.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 
GlACOMO 

[dlmost  crazed."]  No,  no,  my  Bianca,  my 
loved  one.  It  cannot  be. 

BIANCA 

[In  a  very  low  voice  and  pointing  to  the  cannon 
with  a  vanishing  gesture.'}  Let  me  recline,  not 
here  .  .  .  there.  .  .  . 

GIACOMO 

\Who  has  not  understood  her,  in  desperation.] 
What  does  she  say? 

BEPPE  AND  BACICCIA 

\Who  have  understood  her  words. ~\  Together  1 
[As  they  lift  Bianca  with  much  care  with  the  aid 
of  Giacomo  towards  the  cannon."} 

BIANCA 

[Raises  herself  with  much  fatigue  and  em- 
braces with  one  arm  the  barrel  of  the  cannon,  say- 
ing to  Giacomo.]  Now  I  can  die  happy. 

GIACOMO 

[Kneeling  near  her.]  My  Bianca,  mine  for 
ever.  .  .  . 

BIANCA 

[Embracing  him  painfully  and  with  the  other 
arm  patting  the  cannon  —  a  look  of  happy 

135 


THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE    [ACT  v. 

ecstasy  bespreads  her  countenance.']     It  is  safe! 
It  is  safe !     My  Genoa,  My  People ! 

GIACOMO 
Yes,  yes,  it  is  safe,  but  you.  .  .  . 

BIANCA 

What  does  my  life  matter?  .  .  .  Our  great 
country.  .  .  .  Don't  weep !  Smile ! 

GIACOMO 

[As  if  in  a  stupor. ~\  Yes,  yes  ...  I  weep 
not  ...  I  smile  ...  I  am  with  you  .  .  .  shall 
always  be  with  you  .  .  .  you  feel  I  hold  you 
in  my  arms  .  .  .  nothing,  nothing  can  part  me 
from  you  .  .  .  not  now  and  never  .  .  .  could 
one  try  to  separate  us  ...  'twould  not  avail 
.  .  .  for  we  love  one  another  ...  we  are  one 
till  death  and  after  .  .  .  my  love  .  .  .  my  love 
.  .  .  my  love.  .  .  . 

BIANCA 
[Feebly.]     I  did,  what  I  had  to  ... 

GIACOMO 

Yes,  yes  .  .  .  what  you  felt  to  be  your  duty 
.  .  .  now  rest  .  .  .  sleep,  darling,  sleep.  ...  I 
shall  watch  by  your  side  .  .  .  better  than  a  father 
.  .  .  better  even  than  a  mother.  ...  For  I  am 
Love.  .  .  .  Love  .  .  .  sleep  .  .  .  sleep.  .  .  . 

136 


ACT  v.]    THE  SOUL  OF  THE  PEOPLE 

[Here  Balilla  breaks  in  from  the  direction  of 
the  hospital  height  carried  in  triumph  by  the  peo- 
ple, who  with  him  cry:~\  Victory!!  Victory  is 
Ours!!! 

GlACOMO 

[Making  a  sign  for  silence,  pointing  out  to  them 
Bianca  who  has  her  head  leaned  on  his  shoulder, 
her  eyes  shut.]  Sssstttt!  She  sleeps. 

BIANCA 

[Opening  her  eyes  utters  with  feeble  voice.] 
No,  no.  .  .  .  Victory  .  .  .  Victory.  .  .  .  The 
People!  [Falls  back  dead  in  Giacomo's  arms.] 

GlACOMO 

[Embracing  her  in  desperation.]  Victory 
.  .  .  Victory.  .  .  . 

[In  the  distance  is  heard  again  the  chorus  of 
the  Salve  Regina.] 

O  quanto  siete  In  Thy  clemency  to  us 

Con  noi  clemente  To  Thee  we  bind 

Lo  sa  la  gente  Our  Faith. 

Voi  provera  By  Thy  aid, 

Col  Vostro  braccio  O'er  the  Austrian  arms 

Vedra  atterrata  Will  we, 

D' Austria  Tarmata.  The  People, 

Trionfera.  .  .  .  Triumph!  .  .  . 

CURTAIN 

137 


'7 


THE  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

Santa  Barbara 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
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120 


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